Occurrence
| Occurrence and Production of Germanium |
| Occurrence
|
| This element is found in argyrodite (sulfide of germanium and silver); coal; germanite; zinc ores; and other minerals. |
| Germanium is obtained commercially from zinc ore processing smelter dust and from the combustion by-products of certain coals. A large reserve of this element is therefore in coal sources. |
| This metalloid can be extracted from other metals by fractional distillation of its volatile tetrachloride. This technique permits the production of ultra-high purity germanium. |