Question

How zinc is extracted from its carbonate ore explain various steps supporting this equation

Answer 1

metals found in the middle of the

reactivity series are extracted by the

reduction of their oxides with carbon,

aluminium etc. So, in order to extract zinc

metal from zinc carbonate, zinc carbonate is

first converted into zinc oxide. Zinc carbonate

(calamine ore) is heated strongly in the

absence of air to obtain zinc oxide and carbon

dioxide. This process is called calcination.

The moderately reactive metal zinc is

extracted from its oxide by using reducing

agent like C. Zinc oxide is mixed with carbon

(in the form of coke) and heated in a furnace.

Carbon reduces the metal oxide to free zinc

metal.

ZnO + C → Zn + CO