Lead Ore

Lead Ore

Lead ore is a naturally occurring mineral and the primary source of lead, a dense and malleable metal. The most significant lead ore is galena (lead sulfide, PbS), which typically contains about 86.6% lead by weight. Other lead-bearing minerals, though less common, include cerussite (lead carbonate, PbCO₃) and anglesite (lead sulfate, PbSO₄). These ores are found in geological deposits that formed over millions of years, often in conjunction with other metals such as zinc, silver, and copper.

Mining methods for lead ore include both underground and open-pit techniques. Once the ore is extracted, it undergoes several processing stages to increase the lead content. These steps typically involve crushing the ore and using froth flotation, a process that separates lead-bearing minerals from other materials. The concentrated ore is then smelted to produce metallic lead, which may be further refined for various industrial uses.