Antimony, an important strategic metal, is widely used in alloys, flame retardants, and the electronics industry. Traditional antimony smelting methods primarily rely on pyrometallurgy, typically involving multiple steps such as roasting, reduction, and refining. These methods are subject to lengthy processes, high energy consumption, and severe environmental pollution. However, the emergence of slurry electrolysis technology has revolutionized antimony smelting, with its key advantages being a shortened process, high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high product purity.

First, the process is significantly shortened. Traditional pyrometallurgy requires multiple steps, while slurry electrolysis combines leaching and electrolysis, producing metal directly from concentrate in the same device. This reduces equipment investment and floor space, and reduces metal loss and energy consumption.

Second, efficient element separation. Antimony ore is often associated with elements such as arsenic, gold, and lead. Traditional methods are difficult to effectively separate, and arsenic removal is even more challenging. Slurry electrolysis, by manipulating electrolysis parameters such as potential and pH, achieves the selective dissolution and deposition of antimony, arsenic, gold, and other elements, efficiently separating and recovering valuable elements. This makes it suitable for processing complex, multi-metallic antimony ores.

Third, it is environmentally friendly. The high-temperature operations of traditional pyrometallurgical smelting easily volatilize toxic elements such as arsenic, polluting the environment and endangering health. Slurry electrolysis is carried out under closed conditions at low temperatures (below 100°C), suppressing the generation and spread of harmful gases and significantly reducing wastewater and waste residue, thus aligning with the goal of green smelting.

Fourth, high-purity antimony metal can be directly produced. Precise control of the electrolysis process inhibits the deposition of impurity elements at the cathode, avoiding the tedious multiple refining steps required in traditional processes, reducing production costs, and improving product quality.

In summary, slurry electrolysis technology, with its advantages of a shorter process, high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high product purity, offers a more sustainable path for antimony smelting. With increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements and the growing demand for comprehensive resource utilization, this technology is expected to be more widely applied and promoted in the future.