Question

Question 39
Why should the metal sulphides and carbonates be converted to metal oxides in the process of extraction of metal from them?

Answer 1

Extracting a metal by reduction of its oxide with common reducing agents such as coke or CO is much easier and economical than obtaining from its sulphide or carbonate. This is the main reason that conversion of metal sulphides and carbonates to metal oxides is an important step in metallurgy.