Smelter (noun)

1. A person or machine that melts down metal or other substances to extract valuable materials or refine them.
2. A factory where metal is melted and refined.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from smelt + -er, on the pattern of melter.

Examples:

1. The smelter was skilled at extracting pure gold from the ore.
2. The smelter's furnace was used to melt down scrap metal.
3. The smelter was surrounded by smokestacks and piles of waste.
4. The smelter was a major contributor to the town's economy.
5. The smelter was the heart of the city's heavy industry.