A process for separating zinc from a feedstock containing a mixture of metals and metal compounds. The process includes leaching a zinc-containing feedstock with a concentrated basic solution, optionally diluting the slurry with an amount of water sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the slurry thereby facilitating separation of a pregnant liquor containing dissolved zinc from insoluble materials, separating the insoluble materials from the pregnant liquor, and precipitating zinc oxide from the pregnant liquor by adding an anti-solvent to the pregnant liquor. The described process also provides for recycling of the basic solution and the anti-solvent.