Archaeometric study of the pyrometallurgical process used between 1903 and 1913 for copper extraction in the Santa Florentina smelter (Chilecito, La Rioja, Argentina)
The aim of the present work was to elucidate basic and applied aspects of the pyrometallurgical process which used more than 100 years ago in the Santa Florentina smelter (Chilecito, La Rioja province, Argentina) to extract copper from the minerals of La Mejicana deposit (Famatina). For this purpose...
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| Autores principales: | , , |
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| Formato: | Artículo publishedVersion |
| Lenguaje: | Español |
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Instituto de Arqueología, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Buenos Aires
2020
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| Acceso en línea: | https://revistascientificas.filo.uba.ar/index.php/Arqueologia/article/view/5599 https://repositoriouba.sisbi.uba.ar/gsdl/cgi-bin/library.cgi?a=d&c=arqueo&d=5599_oai |
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| Sumario: | The aim of the present work was to elucidate basic and applied aspects of the pyrometallurgical process which used more than 100 years ago in the Santa Florentina smelter (Chilecito, La Rioja province, Argentina) to extract copper from the minerals of La Mejicana deposit (Famatina). For this purpose, we formulated the possible reactions that describe the obtaining of the metal, we made a thorough physicochemical characterization of the slag, estimated the gas released during the oxidation of various substances, assessed the impact of mining on regional deforestation, and finally reviewed the causes that supported the opinion of discontinue the project. The experimental methodology used involved chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, and density determination. Results obtained allowed us to establish that the copper recovery rate was high; to gather operative details of the technology implemented at that time; to provide evidence on environmental pollution produced by the activities carried out, and to identify two potential reasons that would have prompted the decision to definitely abandon the venture. |
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