This method is commonly used to concentrate sulphide ores such as galena (PbS), zinc blende (ZnS) etc.
In this method, the metallic ore particles which are preferentially wetted by oil can be separated from gangue.

1. Reduction of oxides of active metals such as sodium, potassium etc., by carbon is thermodynamically not feasible.
2. Such metals are extracted from their ores by using electrochemical methods.
3. In this technique, the metal salts are taken in a fused form or in solution form.
4. The metal ion present can be reduced by some suitable reducing agent or by electrolysis.
5. Gibbs free energy for the electrolysis process is given by
Here,
 \(\Delta\)G^o = -nFE^o
 \(\Delta\)G^o - Standard Gibb's free energy change
n - number of electrons involved,
F - Faraday,
E^o - Standard electrode potential
6. If E^o is positive then the \(\Delta\)G^o is negative and the reduction is spontaneous
7. Hence a redox reaction is planned in such a way that the e.m.f of the net redox reaction is positive.
8. When a more reactive metal is added to less reactive metal salt solution, the more reactive metal will go into the solution.
Example:
\({ Cu }_{ (s) }+2{ Ag }^{ + }_{ (aq) }\longrightarrow { Cu }^{ 2+ }_{ (aq) }+2{ Ag }_{ (s) }\)
\({ Cu }^{ 2+ }_{ (aq) }+{ Zn }_{ (s) }\longrightarrow { Cu }_{ \left( s \right) } +{ Zn }^{ 2+ }_{ (aq) }\)

(i) Gangue: The ores are associated with nonmetallic impurities, rocky materials and siliceous matter which are collectively known as gangue.
Eg: SiO₂ is the gangue present in the iron ore (Fe₂O₃)
(ii) Slag: In the smelting process, a flux combines with Silica gangue forming slag.
CaO_(s) + SiO_2(s) → CaSiO_3(s)
Flux     + gangue → Slag

Mond process for refining nickel:
The impure nickel is heated in a stream of carbon monoxide at around 350 K. The nickel reacts with the CO to form a highly volatile nickel tetracarbonyl. The solid impurities are left behind. 
\(\mathrm{Ni}_{(\mathrm{s})}+4 \mathrm{CO}_{(\mathrm{g})}\ \rightarrow \ \left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CO})_{4}\right]_{(g)}\)
(ii) When the Nickel Carbonyl Complex is heated at 460 K, it decomposes to give pure nickel.
\(\left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CO})_{4}\right]_{(g)} \stackrel{460 \mathrm{~K}}{\longrightarrow} \mathrm{Ni}_{(s)(\text { pure })}+4 \mathrm{CO}_{(\mathrm{g})}\)