<p>Zinc is a critical industrial metal with diverse applications, sourced from both primary and secondary origins. Primary zinc production is largely derived from sphalerite (zinc sulfide) ore, which undergoes extensive mining and metallurgical processes. In contrast, secondary zinc sources emerge from recycling activities and the recovery of zinc from industrial by-products and metallurgical waste. Zinc ash, a significant secondary source, is produced during the hot-dip galvanizing process as a byproduct of zinc vaporization and oxidation. This material, primarily composed of zinc oxide, metallic zinc, and other zinc compounds, represents a valuable resource for zinc recovery. In this study, the zinc ash was taken from a galvanizing plant, and three experimental tests were conducted to optimize the leaching conditions of zinc ash. The tests focused on leaching kinetics, the effect of acid concentration, and the influence of the solid-liquid ratio. Each test was evaluated under four distinct parameters: temperature, time, acid concentration, and solid-liquid ratio. To promote an environmentally friendly approach, two organic acids; acetic acid and citric acid were used. Comparative results revealed that while citric acid achieved superior zinc extraction efficiencies (up to 91.2%), acetic acid exhibited higher metal selectivity by significantly limiting the dissolution of Fe and Al impurities. The results highlight the potential of organic acids in improving the sustainability and efficiency of zinc recovery from zinc ash, offering a promising alternative to conventional inorganic leaching methods.</p>