Abstract: A method of recovering metallic zinc is disclosed, wherein zinc calcine is introduced to a smelter together with oxygen-enriched air and pulverized coke or coal as reducing agents. The smelter contains two layers, i.e. an upper layer of slag containing the zinc calcine and a lower layer of crude lead for capturing valuable metals such as gold, silver and copper. Zinc vapor from the smelter is passed to a condenser providing a spray of molten lead or zinc for condensing metallic zinc, from which it is recovered. Effluent gases of high caloric content are also recovered.