Blister copper and copper matte are two intermediate products in the extraction and refining of copper from its ore.

Blister copper is produced in a smelting process called pyrometallurgy, where copper sulfide minerals are heated in a furnace along with air and a reducing agent such as coke or charcoal. This process removes impurities and leaves behind a product that contains about 98-99% copper. Blister copper gets its name from the characteristic blisters that form on its surface due to the release of sulfur dioxide gas during the smelting process.

Copper matte, on the other hand, is produced through a different smelting process called matte smelting. In this process, copper sulfide minerals are heated in a furnace with silica and air. The silica acts as a flux and helps remove impurities, while the air oxidizes the sulfur in the ore. The resulting product is a matte, which is a mixture of copper, iron sulfide, and other impurities. Copper matte typically contains about 65-70% copper.

In summary, blister copper is a high-purity copper product that is produced through pyrometallurgy, while copper matte is a lower-grade copper product produced through matte smelting.