Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which metal ores can produce arsenic as a by-product?

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

A labeled diagram of the periodic table entry for arsenic, showing its atomic number 33, symbol As, atomic weight 74.921595, electron configuration, and classification as an other nonmetal. Additional icons indicate arsenic is solid at room temperature, has a rhombohedral crystal structure, and weakly acidic oxides. — arsenic Properties of arsenic.

Arsenic is primarily recovered as a by-product from the smelting and roasting of various metal ores. The ores that commonly yield arsenic as a by-product include those of:

Copper12
Lead12
Cobalt23
Gold2

Additionally, arsenic is obtained through the roasting of specific arsenic-bearing minerals, most notably arsenopyrite (FeAsS), as well as various arsenic sulfide ores. During the smelting or roasting processes, the arsenic impurities present in these ores are typically converted into arsenious oxide (As₄O₆), also known as white arsenic, which is then collected and purified.13