Question

A company finds smithsonite (ZnC$O_3$) in a digging area. Identify the final stage to extract the metal.

• A. Reduction using coke
• B. Refining of Zn
• C. Roasting
• D. Electrolytic reduction

Answer 1

The correct option is B Refining of Zn

• The extraction of metals is done based on the reactivity of the metal.
• Zinc falls under the category of moderately reactive metals in the reactivity series.
• Hence, first the ore is converted to metal oxide to extract the metal.
• Smithsonite is a carbonate ore of zinc, which means it needs to be calcined to convert the ore to metal oxide.
• After the calcination, the metal oxide would be then required to be reduced.
• Reduction can be done by reacting with coke or highly reactive metals.
• After the reduction, refining of the the extracted metal, to pure form of zinc. is done
• Therefore, refining of zinc is the final stage to extract the metal.