Zinc occurs naturally as sulfide and carbonate ores. It is extracted through crushing, concentration, roasting, and reduction processes. The concentrated ore is roasted in air to convert zinc sulfide to zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is then mixed with coke and heated in a vertical retort furnace to produce zinc vapors, which condense to produce molten zinc. The molten zinc is further purified through electrolysis to produce high purity zinc. Zinc is a bluish-white metal with a melting point of 420°C. It is used for galvanization of iron and in making alloys like brass and German silver.