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The kinetics of carbothermic reduction of ZnFe2O4 in the temperature range 823–1223 K, was investigated in a microwave reactor. The mechanism of formation of ZnO and Fe3O4/FeO by decomposition of ZnFe2O4 was explained using the equilibrium calculations and thermodynamics analysis using HSC chemistry software 6.0. In addition the effect of parameters such as the decomposition temperature, C/ZnFe2O4 ratio, particle size and microwave power were assessed on the decomposition kinetics. Zn recovery as high as 98.83% could be achieved at a decomposition temperature of 1023 K, C/ZnFe2O4 ratio of 1:3, particle size of +74–61 µm and microwave power of 1200 W. The kinetics of decomposition was found to be carbon gasification reaction controlled, with the activation energy of 39.21 kJ/mol.