Zinc is one of the most important of base metals, Lead-Zinc both being chalcophile element, geological conditions favour the formation of lead and zinc together. Therefore, both lead and zinc are found to occur together with other metals (copper, gold, silver).

Zinc has many commercial uses as coatings to prevent rust, in dry cell batteries, and mixed with other metals to make alloys like brass, and bronze. It combines with other elements to form zinc compounds. Common zinc compounds found at hazardous waste sites include zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, and zinc sulfide. Zinc compounds are widely used in industry to make paint, rubber, dyes, wood preservatives and ointments.