Copper smelting is the process of extracting copper metal from its ore. This typically involves heating the ore in a furnace to high temperatures, which causes the copper to separate from other elements. The main type of ore used is chalcopyrite, which contains copper, iron, and sulfur. During smelting, the ore is mixed with a flux, such as silica, to help remove impurities. The result is molten copper, which can be poured into molds to create copper ingots. These ingots can then be further processed for various applications, including electrical wiring and plumbing.