Copper smelting apparatus

A copper smelting apparatus, which comprises:

• a batch operated matte smelting furnace, said smelting furnace melting, oxidizing and smelting copper concentrates to produce and discharge a molten matte in batches;
• a matte transporter receiving and transporting the molten matte withdrawn in batches from a lower portion of said matte smelting furnace;
• a continuous converting furnace having a first launder attached thereto, said first launder continuously receiving the molten matte transported by said matte transporter, said continuous converting furnace performing oxidation of the molten matte introduced through said first launder to continuously produce a blister copper melt, and having a second launder attached thereto, said second launder discharging the blister copper melt;
• and
• a matte holding container, said matte holding container receiving and temporally holding the molten matte transported in batches by said matte transporter, said first launder being connected to said matte molding container and continuously introducing molten matte into said continuous converting furnace wherein said matte transporter comprises:
• a plurality of ladles receiving the molten matte withdrawn in batches from said matte smelting furnace, said ladles each having a discharge pipe and a valve;
• a plurality of cranes successively transporting the ladles after being loaded with the molten matte to said first launder to discharge the molten matte into said first launder, through said discharge pipe of each of said ladles, and successively transporting said ladles back to said matte smelting furnace.