All the stages in the copper pyrometallurgical process (smelting and converting) produce sulphur in gaseous form, sulphur dioxide.
This is a highly pollutant gas and largely responsible for acid rain.
To prevent this problem, the sulphur dioxide is captured. It is cleaned in a scruber and then routed to a nearby plant, where it is converted into sulphuric acid, a by-product of the pyrometallurgical process. In other words, the sulphur dioxide is recycled.
The slag is sent to a concentrator to recover any remaining copper. Concentrator wastes are then sent to a waste treatment plant.
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