how is zinc oxide useful in the extraction of zinc metal?

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Solution

Zinc is mainly extracted from its sulphide ore , zinc blend (ZnS).
Since ZnS cannot be directly reduced to Zn it is first converted to ZnO which is known as roasting.Heating ore in excess of air to convert it into oxide as shown below:
2ZnS + 3O₂ --> 2ZnO + 2SO₂
Zinc oxide formed above can be reduced to Zn metal using powdered coke at high temperature such as 1673K in a fire clay retort.
ZnO + C --> Zn +CO

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