Lead

Primary Applications

Lead-acid batteries, radiation shielding, ammunition, alloys, cable protection

Mining Significance

Lead is mined mainly from sulfide deposits where galena is the principal ore mineral and commonly occurs with sphalerite, silver-bearing minerals, and other sulfides. Lead-zinc deposits frequently support coproduct recovery, making selective flotation and concentrate separation important. A large share of lead supply also comes from recycling, especially lead-acid batteries, which affects the economics of primary mining.

Industries

None listed

Lead

Key Properties

Dense, soft, malleable metal with a low melting point.
Excellent attenuation of X-rays and gamma radiation.
Good corrosion resistance in many environments.
Relatively poor structural strength but readily cast and formed.
Toxicity requires strict controls during mining, processing, use, and recycling.

Mining Targets

This element is often found in the following Deposit Types and Mineral targets.

Deposit Type: Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) - Sulfide deposits formed by seafloor hydrothermal systems and commonly enriched in copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver.

Mineral: Galena - PbS - Galena is the principal lead-bearing sulfide mineral in lead-bearing VMS deposits.