A method and apparatus for recovering and refining zinc from scrap metals having a high zinc content. The scrap metals are melted in a conventional furnace and introduced in a molten state into the distillation zone of the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus comprises an atmospherically sealed vertical column having a distillation zone and a communicating superposed fractionation zone. Arranged within the vertical column is a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally staggered trays constructed of a suitable refractory material. Molten material is continuously introduced into the apparatus through a metal seal and flows downwardly in a circuitous path over the trays disposed in the distillation zone. The metal in each tray is heated to temperatures sufficient to vaporize zinc by means of precisely controllable radiant heating elements located immediately above and below each tray. The zinc vapors rise through the distilling zone in countercurrent with the descending molten metal, pass through the factionating column where various impurities are removed, and then are directed into a condenser wherein they are condensed to metallic zinc of high purity.