A metallurgical apparatus comprises a vessel for holding a body of liquid metal and a circulating apparatus for circulating the body of liquid metal within the vessel. The vessel has a peripheral wall and a base, and the circulating apparatus comprises a launder that provides an open-topped flow channel and a pumping device for pumping liquid metal through the launder. The launder has an inlet end connected to a first opening in the peripheral wall and an outlet end connected to a second opening in the peripheral wall. The pumping device is configured to pump liquid metal through the launder so that liquid metal flows out of the vessel through the first opening and into the vessel through the second opening, thereby causing the body of liquid metal within the vessel to circulate.