Lead Ore
The Material which contains one or more minerals and at least one of
which can be recovered at a profit is called Ore. The main or
primary Lead Ore is Galena or Lead Sulphite from which Lead
is extracted. Galena could be smelted into Pure Lead. Galena is lead
gray, soft, and occurs in a crystalline condition. Lead ores are
usually associated with different metals such as Zink (Zn) and
Silver (Ag). Lead is never found as a pure product or in pure state.
Lead Ore is obtained as a byproduct of other metal mining such as
Zink and Silver.Galena is found from the mine and it is a part of a
rock or chunk.
Lead Ore is found in different places of the world. The
Galena or Lead Sulphide is the main commercial source of Lead. Other
Lead ores include Carbonate, Sulphate, Chromate, Phosphate,
Chloride and etc. The Lead Ores may also contain other toxic
metals.
Lead minerals are separated from gangue and other materials in the
ore by dry crushing, grinding to produce a slurry, gravity
classification and flotation. The one of the process which is used
for getting Pure Lead is the Flotation process; this process
collects the Sulfur bearing portions of the Ore, which contains the
valuable metal. The Liberated Lead minerals are smelted by three
stage process of charge preparation (1) blending, conditioning (2)
blast sintering and (3) blast furnace reduction. The blast furnace
bullion is then refined by the removal of copper, tin, arsenic,
antimony, zinc, silver and bismuth.
Metallic Lead is used as sheeting or pipes where pliability and
resistance to corrosion are required; it is also used for cable
sheathing, as an ingredient in solder. It is a valuable shielding
material for ionizing radiations
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