Abstract <p>Based on the results of a comprehensive study of the physicochemical properties of carbonaceous materials of technogenic and natural origin, including the determination of their elemental, technical, phase composition, structural characteristics of the surface, thermal stability in an inert environment, the choice of coke fines and anthracite as reducing agents in the process of metallization of finely dispersed waste of metallurgical production with an iron content not exceeding 35% calculated as Fe₂O₃, represented mainly by franklinite and zinc oxide phases, is substantiated. The consumption of carbonaceous materials, which achieves a metallization degree of at least 97%, complete extraction of zinc and the regulated content of sulfur, phosphorus and gangue (SiO₂) in the reduction products, was experimentally determined. It was established that the main criterion for the efficiency of carbonaceous materials in the processes of reduction of waste of metallurgical production with an iron content not exceeding 35% in terms of Fe₂O₃ is the chemical and phase composition of inorganic impurities.</p>