What is the name of the process in metallurgy where concentrated ore is heated strongly in the absence of air below its melting point to expel volatile impurities?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Calcination is a metallurgical process where concentrated ores are heated strongly below their melting point in the absence or limited supply of air to remove volatile matter. Roasting involves heating ores in the presence of excess air, whereas smelting employs reducing agents to obtain molten metal. Calcination is commonly applied to carbonate and hydroxide ores to convert them into oxides.