Location In The World
Mineral from which zinc is extracted, principally sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S, but also incite, ZnO2, and smithsonite, ZnCO3, all of which occur in mineralized veins. Ores of lead and zinc often occur together, and are common worldwide, Canada, the USA, and Australia are major producers.
Zinc is also essential in the earth environment. It is found in small amounts in soil, water, and living organisms - it is an essential element to life. Zinc is also found in ores of the Earth's crust. Oxidation of sphalerite deposits produces other zinc minerals, of which the most common are the silicate hemimorphite, the carbonate smithsonite, and the basic carbonate hydrozincite. Zinc is often associated with lead in nature, with most zinc mines producing lead, and vice versa.