Umatshini ongaphantsi kwesihluzo luhlobo olutsha loomatshini oluphuhliswe ngokukhawuleza kwiminyaka engama-20 edlulileyo. Lusetyenziswa kakhulu kwi-metallurgy, kwizixhobo zokwakha, kwiikhemikhali, ekutyeni, kwimigodi nakwamanye amashishini, ingakumbi kwimigodi nakwimashishini e-metallurgical.
Kwishishini lesinyithi, umatshini wokuvavanya ungasetyenziselwa ukunyusa umgangatho, njengokuhlola i-ore kunye ne-coke; kwishishini lamalahle, ungasetyenziselwa ukwahlulahlula, ukuphelisa amanzi emzimbeni, ukukhupha i-silit, njl.njl. kwamalahle; ekwakheni, kwizixhobo zokwakha, kumbane wamanzi, ekuthuthweni, njl.njl. Amatye anokuhlelwa; kwishishini lokukhanya kunye necandelo leekhemikhali, izinto ezikrwada zeekhemikhali kunye neemveliso zinokuhlolwa.