All Issue

2026 Vol.35, Issue 2 Preview Page

Article Review

Compositional Review and Recycling Possibility of Zinc in By-products and Residues of Zinc Smelting

아연제련 잔사/부산물 내 아연 함량 및 재자원화 가능성

Kyoungtae Park1*
,
Yongkwan Lee1
,
Seok-Jun Seo1
박 경태1*
,
이 용관1
,
서 석준1
1Korea National Institute of Rare Metals, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
1한국생산기술연구원 국가희소금속센터
*Corresponding Author
30 April 2026. pp. 22-29
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

The Republic of Korea is a resource-import-dependent country with limited domestic reserves of metallic mineral resources, and relies heavily on overseas sources for major nonferrous metal raw materials, such as lead and zinc. These metals are essential materials for batteries, galvanization and alloying, chemical industries, and advanced manufacturing sectors, and the stability of their supply chains is directly linked to national industrial competitiveness. Accordingly, the recycling of byproducts generated from domestic smelting processes has emerged as a practical strategy for simultaneously enhancing raw material security and reducing environmental burden. This study investigated the formation mechanisms, mineralogical characteristics, and chemical compositions of iron-bearing byproducts generated during the zinc roasting–leaching–electrowinning process. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the recycling potential in each phase. The results indicate that the phase control of zinc smelting byproducts is a critical factor influencing the metal recovery efficiency, environmental safety, and overall economic feasibility. This study provides fundamental data for establishing strategic resource circulation pathways for lead- and zinc-containing smelting residues in Korea by systematically comparing their characteristics and potential recycling routes.

Keywords
Non-ferrous metals
Lead (Pb)
Zinc (Zn)
Smelting by-products
Resource recycling

대한민국은 금속광 기반의 천연자원 부존이 제한적인 자원 수입 의존 국가로, 연(Pb)과 아연(Zn) 등 주요 비철금속 원료의 상당 부분을 해외에 의존하고 있다. 이들 금속은 배터리, 도금·합금, 화학 및 첨단 제조 산업의 핵심 소재로서 공급망 안정성이 국가 산업 경쟁력과 직결된다. 이에 따라 국내 제련 공정에서 발생하는 부산물의 재자원화는 원료 확보 안정성과 환경부하 저감을 동시에 달성할 수 있는 현실적 대안으로 주목받고 있다. 본 논문에서는 아연 정·제련 공정(Roasting–Leaching–Electrowinning, RLE)에서 발생하는 철(Fe) 함유 부산물의 생성 기구, 광물학적 특성 및 화학 조성을 비교·분석하고, 각 상의 재자원화 가능성을 평가하였다. 결과적으로 아연 제련 부산물의 상(phase) 제어는 금속 회수율, 환경 안전성 및 경제성에 중대한 영향을 미치는 핵심 인자로 판단된다. 본 논문은 아연 함유 제련 잔사의 특성 비교 및 재활용 경로 분석을 통해 국내 비철 제련 부산물의 전략적 자원화 방향 설정을 위한 기초 자료를 제공하고자 한다.

키워드
비철금속
아연
연
제련 부산물
재자원화
References
1

Kim, J.S., 2010 : The Causal Relationship among International Crude Oil and Metals Prices, Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers, 47(4), pp.423-432.

2

Hye Won Choi, Eunnyeong Heo, Kyungah Kim, 2020 : SVAR Analysis of Factors Affecting Fluctuations of Six Major Nonferrous Metal Prices, Journal of The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers, 57, pp.352-361.

10.32390/ksmer.2020.57.4.352
3

Kaya, M., Hussaini, S. and Kursunoğlu, S., 2020 : Critical review on secondary zinc resources and their recycling technologies, Hydrometallurgy, 195, pp.304-386.

10.1016/j.hydromet.2020.105362
4

Wall, M. T., Carl, M., Smith, J., et al., 2021 : Novel characterization of lead-based micro-alloys for battery applications, J. Energy Storage, 44, pp.103373.

10.1016/j.est.2021.103373
5

Katarzyna Nowińska, Zdzisław Adamczyk, 2023 : Zinc and Lead Metallurgical Slags as a Potential Source of Metal Recovery: A Review, Materials, 16, 7295.

10.3390/ma1623729538068037PMC10707075
6

Yamamoto, T., Merciai, S., Mogollón, J. M., et al., 2022 : The role of recycling in alleviating supply chain risk—Insights from a stock-flow perspective using a hybrid input-output database, Resour. Conserv. Recycl., 185, pp.106474.

10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106474
7

Kandalam, A., Reuter, M. A., Stelter, M., et al., 2023 : A Review of Top-Submerged Lance (TSL) Processing—Part I: Plant and Reactor Engineering, Metals, 13(10), pp.1728.

10.3390/met13101728
8

Hellgren, S., Engström, F., Sundqvist Öqvist, L., 2024 : The Characterization of Residues Related to the Roasting–Leaching–Electrowinning Zinc Production Route for Further Metal Extraction, Metals, 14(1), pp.73.

10.3390/met14010073
9

V. F. C. Lins, R. Abelha, M. Castro, et al., 2010 : Effect of iron on energy consumption and current efficiency of zinc electrowinning from sulfate solutions, Technol. Metal. Mater. Min., 7, pp.61-66.

10.4322/tmm.00701011
10

Saba, A. E., Elsherief, A. E., 2000 : Continuous electrowinning of zinc, Hydrometallurgy, 54(2-3), pp.91-106.

10.1016/S0304-386X(99)00061-4
11

Xing, Y., Wei, C., Deng, Z., et al., 2024 : Controllable mechanism of hazardous jarosite transformation into recyclable hematite in the leaching solution of secondary zinc oxide powder, Sci. Rep., 14, pp.24490.

10.1038/s41598-024-75857-539424716PMC11489762
12

Chen, S., Zeng, X., Liang, Q., et al., 2023 : Zinc efficiently extracted from zinc calcine by reduced wet grinding: ZnFe2O4 to ZnO and Fe3O4, J. Clean. Prod., 399, pp.136536.

10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136536
13

Graydon, J. W. and Kirk, D. W., 1988 : A Microscopic Study of the Transformation of Iron Sulfides to Zinc Ferrite during Fluidized-Bed Roasting of Zinc Concentrate, Metallurgical Transactions B, 19, pp.755-762.

10.1007/BF02650197
14

Luo, Y., Ke, Y., Peng, C., et al., 2025 : Decomposition of zinc ferrite-based solid waste by reductive leaching: Leaching kinetics and mechanism, Separation and Purification Technology, 352, pp.128166.

10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128166
15

Chen, T. and Dutrizac, J., 2001 : A Mineralogical Study of the Reductive Roasting of Zinc Ferrite Residues—A Potential Zinc Recycling Technology, Mater. Trans., 42(12), pp.2511-2518.

10.2320/matertrans.42.2511
16

Iliev, P., Lucheva, B., Kazakova, N., et al., 2025 : Recovery of Iron, Silver and Lead from Zinc Ferrite Residue, Materials, 18(15), pp.3522.

10.3390/ma1815352240805400PMC12348838
17

Ismael, M. R. C. and Carvalho, J. M. R., 2003 : Iron recovery from sulphate leach liquors in zinc hydrometallurgy, Minerals Engineering, 16, pp.31-39.

10.1016/S0892-6875(02)00310-2
18

Peng, J., Liu, H., Shen, Y., et al., 2023 : Effect of Thiourea on Lead Release from Lead-Bearing Jarosite under Freeze–Thaw Cycling, Metals, 13, pp.1053.

10.3390/met13061053
19

Janošević, M., Conić, V., Božić, D., et al., 2023 : Indium Recovery from Jarosite Pb–Ag Tailings Waste (Part 1), Minerals, 13(4), pp.540.

10.3390/min13040540
20

Conić, V., Janošević, M., Božić, D. S., et al., 2024 : Copper, Zinc, and Lead Recovery from Jarosite Pb–Ag Tailings Waste (Part 2), Minerals, 14(8), pp.791.

10.3390/min14080791
21

Dutrizac, J. E., 2008 : Factors Affecting the Precipitation of Potassium Jarosite in Sulfate and Chloride Media, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 39, pp.771-783.

10.1007/s11663-008-9198-7
22

Ju, S. and Zhang, Y., 2011 : Clean hydrometallurgical route to recover zinc, silver, lead, copper, cadmium and iron from hazardous jarosite residues produced during zinc hydrometallurgy, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 192(2), pp.554-558.

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.05.049
23

Nan, T., Yang, J., Tang, C., et al., 2021 : Reaction kinetics of shearing-enhanced goethite process for iron removal from zinc solution, Hydrometallurgy, 203, pp.105624.

10.1016/j.hydromet.2021.105624
24

Di Maria, A. and Van Acker, K., 2018 : Turning Industrial Residues into Resources: An Environmental Impact Assessment of Goethite Valorization, Engineering, 4(3), pp.421-429.

10.1016/j.eng.2018.05.008
25

Bustamante, A., Lovera, D., Quille, R., et al., 2010 : Mössbauer spectroscopy study of a mineral sample from Oshno Hill, District of Chavín de Pariarca, Huanuco Region, Peru, Hyperfine Interact., 195(1), pp.63-68.

10.1007/s10751-009-0102-x
26

Han, J., Yang, C., Zhou, X., et al., 2017 : Dynamic multi-objective optimization arising in iron precipitation of zinc hydrometallurgy, Hydrometallurgy, 173, pp.134-148.

10.1016/j.hydromet.2017.08.007
27

Cheng, T. C. and Demopoulos, G. P., 2004 : Hydrolysis of Ferric Sulfate in the Presence of Zinc Sulfate at 200 °C: Precipitation Kinetics and Product Characterization, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 43, pp.6299-6308.

10.1021/ie030711g
28

Pelino, M., Cantalini, C., Abbruzzese, C., et al., 1996 : Treatment and recycling of goethite waste arising from the hydrometallurgy of zinc, Hydrometallurgy, 40, pp.25-35.

10.1016/0304-386X(95)00004-Z
29

Qureshi, A. A., Javed, S., Javed, H. M. A., et al., 2022 : Systematic investigation of structural, morphological, thermal, optoelectronic, and magnetic properties of high-purity hematite/magnetite nanoparticles for optoelectronics, Nanomaterials, 12(10), pp.1635.

10.3390/nano1210163535630857PMC9144984
30

Yu, J., Sun, H., Li, P., et al., 2023 : A pilot study on recovery of iron from sulfur-bearing hematite ore using hydrogen-based mineral phase transformation followed by magnetic separation, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(5), pp.110630.

10.1016/j.jece.2023.110630
31

Sinclair, R. J., 2005 : The Extractive Metallurgy of Zinc, Spectrum Series No. 13, 1st Edition, The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Carlton South, Vic., Australia.

32

Xing, Y., Deng, Z., Wei, C., et al., 2024 : Transformation behavior of hazardous jarosite into recyclable hematite in a solution with high concentrations of K+ and Na+, Scientific Reports, 14, pp.13949.

10.1038/s41598-024-64502-w38886494PMC11183046
33

Zheng, Y.-X., Ning, J., Liu, W., et al., 2021 : Reaction behaviors of Pb and Zn sulfates during reduction roasting of Zn leaching residue and flotation of artificial sulfide minerals, International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 28, pp.358-366.

10.1007/s12613-020-2029-9
34

Rama, M., Klemettinen, L., Rinne, M., et al., 2023 : Processing of a Zinc Leach Residue by a Non-Fossil Reductant, ACS Omega, 8, pp.21450-21463.

10.1021/acsomega.3c0025037360496PMC10286245
35

Hoeber, L., Steinlechner, S., 2021 : A comprehensive review of processing strategies for iron precipitation residues from zinc hydrometallurgy, Cleaner Eng. Technol., 4, pp.100214.

10.1016/j.clet.2021.100214
36

Wu, C. C., Chang, F. C., Chen, W. S., et al., 2014 : Reduction behavior of zinc ferrite in EAF-dust recycling with CO gas as a reducing agent, J. Environ. Manage., 143, pp.208-213.

10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.04.005
37

Rämä, M., Nurmi, S., Jokilaakso, A., et al., 2018 : Thermal processing of jarosite leach residue for a safe disposable slag and valuable metals recovery, Metals, 8, pp.744.

10.3390/met8100744
38

Peng, J., Liu, H., He, L., et al., 2023 : Physicochemical Properties and Leaching Toxicity Assessment of Jarosite Residue, Sustainability, 15(12), pp.9472.

10.3390/su15129472
39

Monhemius, A. J., 2017 : The iron elephant: A brief history of hydrometallurgists’ struggles with element no. 26, CIM Journal, 8(4), pp.197-206.

10.15834/cimj.2017.21
40

Rodriguez Rodriguez, N., Machiels, L., Onghena, B., et al., 2020 : Selective recovery of zinc from goethite residue in the zinc industry using deep-eutectic solvents, RSC Adv., 10, pp.7328-7335.

10.1039/D0RA00277A
41

Dutrizac, J. E., Chen, T. T., 2012 : Behaviour of Various Impurities during the Precipitation of Hematite from Ferric Sulphate Solutions at 225°C, T.T. Chen Honorary Symposium on Hydrometallurgy, Electrometallurgy and Materials Characterization, edited by Wang, S., Dutrizac, J. E., Free, M. L., Hwang, J. Y., Kim, D., pp.489-499, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), Orlando, FL, USA, 11-15 March 2012.

10.1002/9781118364833.ch44
Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Institute of Resources Recycling
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원리싸이클링학회
  • Journal Title :Resources Recycling
  • Journal Title(Ko) :자원리싸이클링
  • Volume : 35
  • No :2
  • Pages :22-29
  • Received Date : 2026-02-19
  • Revised Date : 2026-04-02
  • Accepted Date : 2026-04-07
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2026.35.2.22
Journal Informaiton Resources Recycling Resources Recycling
E-Book
Online Submission
Archives
: Archives
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • KCI 문헌 유사도 검사
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close