How is metallic arsenic produced from arsenopyrite?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Metallic arsenic is produced from arsenopyrite by heating the ore at temperatures between 650 and 700 °C in the absence of air.1

Alternatively, arsenic is commonly obtained as a byproduct from the roasting of various metal ores, including arsenopyrite. This process involves heating the ore in the presence of air to form the oxide As4O6, also known as "white arsenic." This oxide vapor is collected, condensed, and subsequently purified through resublimation. Most commercial metallic arsenic is then prepared by the carbon reduction of this collected arsenious oxide dust.1