A method for purifying silicon comprises the steps of providing a body of molten silicon-rich material in a solvent metal comprising copper or copper-aluminum combination and extracting heat therefrom to provide a solid phase containing silicon in crystal form and to concentrate impurities in a molten phase. After a desired amount of heat has been extracted, a substantial part of the molten phase is separated from the solid phase. A fraction or portion of the solid phase is remelted for purposes of removing solvent metal comprising copper or copper-aluminum solvent metal, including impurities, from the crystals, and at least one fraction of the remelted material is separated from the crystals.