This paper explores the feasibility of a high temperature chlorination roast for selectively remove Zn from steelmaking dust. Experiments using ammonium chloride as the chlorination reagent indicate promising removal of up to 99% Zn. However, up to 30% of the Fe content of the dust is concomitantly recovered with the Zn, this is an undesirable feature in the process. This paper examines optimisation of Zn recovery and minimisation of Fe recovery during the chlorination roast through variation of parameters such as roasting temperature, time and chlorination agent ratio. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.