The use of liquid metal solvents has broadened the application-potential of carbothermic reduction in the areas of ore reduction reactions and reactive separations. A properly chosen solvent permits pyrometallurgical reductions at temperatures far below those possible with processes that do not employ a solvent metal. Product contamination is inhibited as well. Further, solvated carbothermic reduction appears to consume substantially less energy than conventional electrochemical and metallothermic processes.