What is the process of conversion of an ore into a metal oxide by heating strongly in the presence of excess air below its melting point called?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Roasting is a metallurgical process used to convert sulfide ores into metal oxides by heating them strongly below their melting point in the presence of excess air. Unlike calcination, which uses a limited supply or absence of air for carbonate ores, roasting oxidizes sulfur impurities away as gaseous sulfur dioxide. This process is fundamental in the extraction of metals like copper and zinc from their respective sulfide ores.