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The process of extraction of metals from its ore is discussed in detail in metallurgy. A metal in its pure state can be obtained by following various steps like roasting, smelting, flotation, refining etc.

Roasting is a metallurgical process that involves heating a sulfide in the presence of air. Roasting transforms a metal sulfide into a metal oxide or a free metal. Mercury obtained by roasting mercury(II) sulfide as an example.

Smelting: This process is used to extract metals from their ores, such as silver, iron, and other base metals. It uses heat and a reducing agent to decompose the ore, which drives off other elements as gases or slag and leaves behind the metal base. Heating an oxide ore with coke is called smelting.

Flotation: An oil-detergent mixture is stirred with pulverised ore in water to form a slurry in this process. The surface of the mineral and gangue becomes wet to some extent. When they are mixed with air, they form an oily, mineral-rich froth that floats, but silicate particles sink. Finally, skimming isolates the concentrated mineral fraction by removing the solvent.

The process of purifying the elements is known as refining. Electro refining, distillation, and zone refining are the three refining methods.