Occurrence and extraction of zinc from zinc blende

Zinc occurs only in combined state. The important ores of zinc are zinc blende (Zns), calamine etc. These two are the important ores for the extraction of zinc.

Extraction

Zinc blende is crushed, concentrated and heated in air.

Zinc oxide formed above is mixed with coke in a fireclay retort. It is fitted with a condenser. The metal distills and condenses in the retort. The metal obtained is purified by electrolysis.