A method for the recovery of zinc from zinc containing materials using a smelting apparatus for smelting a metalliferous feed material, wherein the smelting apparatus includes a smelting vessel, a smelt cyclone mounted on the smelting vessel and in connection with the inside of the smelting vessel and an off-gas duct connected to the smelt cyclone, and wherein the method includes the steps of: injecting the feed material with a carrier gas into the smelt cyclone, injecting an oxygen containing gas into the smelt cyclone, injecting coal with a carrier gas into the smelting vessel, injecting an oxygen containing gas into the smelting vessel, optionally injecting fluxes with a carrier gas into the smelting vessel, wherein the zinc containing materials are injected into the smelt cyclone and/or into the smelting vessel.