Abstract: A zinc- and lead-containing residue from a metallurgical plant is reprocessed by a thermal treatment in a circulating fluidized bed system. A major part of the heat demand is satisfied by a combustion of solid carbonaceous material in the fluidized bed reactor of the circulating fluidized bed system. A reducing fluidizing gas, which is virtually free of free oxygen, is fed to the lower part of the fluidized bed reactor. A solid carbon content of from 5 to 30% is adjusted in the fluidized bed in the lower portion of the fluidized bed reactor, which is supplied in its upper portion with oxygen-containing gases and in which CO.sub.2 is formed only at such a rate that zinc metal is not reoxidized. Substantially all solids are removed in a recycling cyclone from the suspension discharged from the reactor and the removed solids are recycled. The gas is cooled to a temperature at which zinc metal is oxidized to ZnO. The dust-like zinc compounds and lead compounds are removed from the gas.