6. Hydrometallurgy

6.1 Context

The zinc concentrates produced are mainly processed by the pyro-hydrometallurgical route, as the thermal route has largely lost ground for energy and environmental reasons, and also because zinc metallurgy is no longer always associated with lead metallurgy.

Sulfuric acid hydrometallurgy is currently the main and exclusive processing method for all zinc ores.

Basic hydrometallurgy. This process is still in its infancy, with only one industrial application (the REZEDA process ^® , developed by TREZ – Savoie)