Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c26.s6.3

v1.c26.s6.3

Straczek et al. (1967) pointed out that there are two distinct types of smelter residues. One is a sinter or clinker intermixed with fragments of fired clay pots or retorts and contained in unbroken retorts; the retort residue and wall contain substantial amounts of zinc showing that these retorts are possibly zinc smelting crucibles. The other kind of residue is normal glass slag left after the recovery of lead and possibly silver. Straczek et al. (1967) estimated that the quantity of the sinter residues and retorts could be 2.03 to 2.54 lakh tons containing six to seven thousand tons of zinc metal and 400-500 tons of lead. Recently Freestone et al. (1985a) have estimated that the quantity of the extraction debris could be in the neighbourhood of 8 lakh tons.