Indium is found in ores which contain copper, iron, lead, and zinc. Most of the indium that is isolated commercially is extracted from zinc ores, and sometimes lead ores. It can be isolated from the zinc using electrolysis processes between indium salts and water. Indium is also a by-product of lead and zinc formation. During the electrolysis process, the salts of indium that were initially formed from beginning isolation processes are dissolved in water. A positive electrode, the anode, and the negative electrode, the cathode, are used to run an electric current through the solution. Indium is collected out of the solution. High purity indium that is used for electronic purposes must undergo further extraction techniques once it has been isolated from the solution in order to remove any contaminants. While pure indium is not considered to be hazardous, some indium compounds can be toxic so it should be handled with caution.
