Processing of Zinc Production Wastes and Recycling Opportunities

Abstract

The generation of large volumes of waste during zinc production presents both an environmental challenge and a potential secondary resource for valuable metal recovery. This study investigates the physicochemical characteristics of zinc-containing wastes and evaluates effective processing methods for improving metal extraction efficiency. Special attention is given to the decomposition of zinc ferrite through lime-assisted roasting followed by sulfuric acid leaching. Thermodynamic analysis and experimental data indicate that the proposed approach significantly enhances zinc recovery compared to conventional methods. The results demonstrate that waste recycling can contribute to sustainable metallurgy and resource conservation.