Due to its characteristics copper is the world's third most widely used metal and demand for copper is in constant growth. Its application in metallurgy is wide due to its excellent properties as an alloying element. The processes for obtaining copper can be pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical. About 90 % of the world's copper is obtained using the yrometallurgical processes, while the usage of hydrometallurgical ones is limited to processing of copper oxide ores. The processes in pyrometallurgy can be classified as autogenous and standard. The disadvantages of standard processes, such as loss of vast quantities of heat during the roasting and smelting phases, and environmental pollution due to emission of waste gases have led to almost complete cessation of their usage. Autogenous processes have introduced a number of improvements, such as better heat fficiency, better work environment protection, decreased emission of waste gases and the increase of smelting capacities, which made them the dominant processes for pyrometallurgical obtaining of copper. The world's largest copper manufacturers are constantly modernizing these pro cesses. This work describes the pyrometallurgical process of copper obtaining, followed by a detailed description of the most important autogenous processes, such as OUTOKUMPU, ISASMELT, AUSMELT, MITSUBISHI continuous copper production process, INCO and NORANDA. In the end a short overview of copper smelter located in Bor, Serbia, has been given.