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Abstract

A process for recovering zinc from zinc-containing sulphidic material also containing iron and from zinc oxide containing material. Zinc-containing sulphidic material is leached under oxidizing conditions at a temperature in the range of from about 130.degree. to about 170.degree. C. in aqueous sulphuric acid solution with an initial stoichiometric excess of sulphuric acid relative to the zinc content of the sulphidic material to form a leach slurry containing dissolved zinc and iron. The leach step is continued until a substantial amount of zinc has been dissolved from the sulphidic material. Zinc oxide containing material is then added to the leach slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to a value in the range of from about 4.5 to about 5.5 to precipitate dissolved iron and form an iron-containing residue and a relatively iron-free leach solution. The residue is separated from the leach solution, and the leach solution is treated to recover zinc.

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