Abstract: In a system and method for separating metals from a substance comprising them, a system may comprise a constant current power supply and a furnace having a chamber for containing the substance. The furnace may comprise an insulating outer section, a chamber wall, and two electrodes.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material is controlled such that the amount of carbon is from 7 to 60 mass % based on the total amount of iron and Zn in a starting mixture comprising one or more of ducts containing iron oxide and Zn oxide and a binder in an amount to bond the dusts, and water is added to prepare green pellets incorporated with the carbonaceous material. Then, dry pellets prepared by drying the thus prepared green pellets into a reduction furnace, the dry pellets are heated by heat transfer, mainly, radiation such that a temperature elevation rate is from 3 to 13° C./sec within a temperature range from 150 to 900° C. of the pellets, thereby reducing Zn oxide and evaporating Zn, as well as reducing iron oxide to produce reduced iron pellets.