Mar 2017
Strike for Lead in United States
An employee strike began in March at an Idaho lead mine, reducing its production by 90% for the first ten months of 2017.
Lead trade
Unwrought Lead
Lead is a widely used mineral commodity sourced primarily from mines as raw, unrefined ore. It's often found in zinc ore deposits and extracted as a byproduct during zinc, copper, or gold production. The primary uses of lead include battery production for vehicles, as well as industrial applications such as solders, cable sheathing, and ammunition. Lead is also used in radiation shielding materials, crystal glass, and ceramic glazes due to its high density and ability to absorb radiation. Lead is traded globally in...
Lead is a widely used mineral commodity sourced primarily from mines as raw, unrefined ore. It's often found in zinc ore deposits and extracted as a byproduct during zinc, copper, or gold production.
The primary uses of lead include battery production for vehicles, as well as industrial applications such as solders, cable sheathing, and ammunition. Lead is also used in radiation shielding materials, crystal glass, and ceramic glazes due to its high density and ability to absorb radiation.
Lead is traded globally in the form of raw ore or ingots, with prices influenced by supply and demand fluctuations, geopolitical events, and economic indicators like manufacturing sector health. The extraction process involves crushing, flotation, and smelting of lead-containing ores before being cast into ingots for global trade.
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Market intelligence
Relevant Events
2017
Processing Startup for Lead in United States
A new secondary lead refinery in Nevada was completed, expected to produce about 80 tons per day of high‑purity refined lead using electrochemical recycling technology.
2017
Reserve Revision for Lead in Peru
Peruvian lead reserves were revised upward based on a government report, increasing the country’s reported reserves to 6,000 tons.
2013
Processing Shutdown for Lead in United States
The last primary lead smelter in the United States was closed in 2013, increasing reliance on imported refined lead.
Dec 2008
Mine Closure for Lead in Australia
Xstrata suspended operations at the McArthur River zinc‑lead mine in December 2008 after a Federal Court decision barred expansion plans.
Dec 2008
Mine Closure for Lead in United States
Teck temporarily shut down operations at Pend Oreille mine in mid‑December 2008 due to reduced zinc demand, placing the complex on care‑and‑maintenance status.
Dec 2008
Mine Closure for Lead in United States
Apollo Gold Corp. halted mining operations at the Montana Tunnels mine in early December 2008 after exhausting its ore stockpile.
Dec 2008
Ownership Change for Lead in United States
Exide Technologies entered a joint‑venture MOU with Leoch Battery Corp. in December 2008 to manufacture automotive batteries in China.
Nov 2008
Mine Closure for Lead in Australia
CBH Resources reduced ore production at its Endeavor mine by over 55% in November 2008, shifting to a lower output schedule.
Nov 2008
Processing Startup for Lead in United States
RSR Corp’s smelter was restarted in late November 2008 after fire damage repairs.
27 Oct 2008
Infrastructure Disruption for Lead in United States
Red Dog shipping season ended October 27 2008 earlier than expected; the last vessel left port without a full shipment due to adverse weather and sea conditions.
Oct 2008
Mine Closure for Lead in Canada
Blue Note Mining temporarily placed its Caribou and Restigouche zinc‑lead mines on care‑and‑maintenance status in October 2008 due to falling metal prices.
Oct 2008
Processing Shutdown for Lead in United States
Doe Run temporarily closed one furnace of its primary lead smelter in October 2008, reducing monthly refined lead output.
Oct 2008
Regulatory Change for Lead in United States
EPA strengthened national ambient air quality standards for lead in October 2008, tightening emission limits.
Sep 2008
Regulatory Change for Lead in United States
EPA announced in September 2008 a plan to revise hazardous‑waste import rules and lead‑acid battery export requirements.
Jul 2008
Accident for Lead in United States
RSR Corp’s secondary lead smelter in Los Angeles suffered a fire in early July 2008, shutting down operations until repairs were completed.
Jul 2008
Project Delay for Lead in Algeria
Recyclex SA’s automotive battery recycling plant in Ain Ouassara fell behind schedule in July 2008 due to construction delays.
16 Apr 2008
Ownership Change for Lead in United States
Hecla Mining gained 100% control of Kennecott Greens Creek Mine on April 16 2008, securing ownership of the Alaska lead‑and‑zinc operation.
Feb 2008
Ownership Change for Lead in United States
Hecla Mining acquired the majority assets of Independence Lead Mines Co. in February 2008, including claims to the Lucky Friday mine.
Feb 2008
Processing Expansion for Lead in United States
EnerSys expanded its Warrensburg, MO plant by 50% in February 2008 to meet growing demand for industrial lead‑acid batteries.
2008
Processing Shutdown for Lead in United States
Mechanical failure of the Red Dog mill (crusher shaft failure) caused a 10% drop in lead concentrate production during 2008.
Feb 2006
Processing Startup for Lead in China
The Shaoguan smelter reopened in February 2006 after waste‑treatment upgrades, restoring lead smelting capacity.
31 Dec 2005
Mine Closure for Lead in Australia
Xstrata ceased operations at its Mt Isa Lead Mine on December 31, 2005, due to depleted reserves.
Dec 2005
Processing Shutdown for Lead in China
Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan's Shaoguan smelter was forced to close in December 2005 after a toxic spill into the Beijing River.
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