THE MINERAL 

Zinc is not very abundant in nature and is most readily found in blendes (an ore that is the chief source of Zinc; consists largely of Zinc sulfide in crystalline form), carbonate-hosted and calamine ores.

Zinc is often found together with Lead, Copper, Iron and in lesser quantities with Silver, Cadmium, Germanium and Indium. Zinc deposits from mined ores average from 4 to 20 percent Zinc. After being mined minerals are enriched through a flotation process. The part rich in Zinc comes to the surface thanks to some reactive materials, while waste sinks to the bottom. 

After impurities have been removed a 50-55 percent concentrate is left ready to be processed.