Question

Give reason for the following:

Carbonate and Sulphide ores are usually converted into Oxides prior to reduction during the process of extraction.

Answer 1

• Carbonate and Sulphide ores are usually converted into Oxides prior to reduction during the process of extraction because metal extraction is easier from their Oxide ores than the Sulphide or Carbonate ores.
• Therefore, the conversion of the Sulphide or Carbonate ore to Oxide is done by calcination or roasting.
• In the process of calcination, the heating of ore is done strongly in the limited quantity of air.