- Zinc concentrate
Zinc concentrate is a semi-processed intermediate product used in the production of
zinc metal andzinc alloy s, which is the result of a flotation process after the zincore has been mined and milled. The zinc ore contains 1-15% zinc whereas the concentrate typically contains approximately 55%zinc , 6.5%iron and 32%sulfur together with other elements at much lower levels.By percentage, zinc concentrate normally contains
zinc sulfide (80% to 85%), iron sulfide (7.0% to 12%),lead sulfide (3.0% to 5.0%) silica (2.5% to 3.5%), andcadmium sulfide (0.35% to 0.41%).The zinc production process involves roasting the concentrate at approximately 950 °C. When the right temperature is reached oxidation of the zinc, iron and sulfur occurs. The sulfur can be collected and turned into commercial grade
sulfuric acid (H2SO4).The iron and zinc then oxidises, and having been reduced to a powdered form is diluted with sulfuric acid, neutralised, and then filtered to remove contaminants.
The refined solution is then electrolysed in a cell fitted with a
lead anode and analuminium cathode . In this process the zinc is deposited on the cathode from which it is later stripped off. It is then sent to afoundry where it takes its final form as either zinc metal (99.95% pure zinc), or zinc alloy together withcopper ,aluminium ormagnesium . The zinc is cast into various forms, normally ingots or plates, with weights from 9 kg to 4 tons.
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