All fact sheets · The Strata Memo
Lead
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Chemical details
- State at room conditions
- Solid
- Melting point
- 601 K (327 °C)
- Boiling point
- 2,022 K (1,749 °C)
- Density
- 11.342 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +4, +2
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.33
- Atomic radius
- 202 pm
- First ionization energy
- 7.417 eV
- Discovered
- Ancient
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubChem, Periodic Table of Elements (element Lead) (current at retrieval)
USGS 2025 critical mineral. Figures: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (public domain); sources are in the source register.
Where it is made: six stages
bottleneck made in the U.S. partly no U.S. activity no source yet
Where the sites are
Refiningring = place only known to county or district
Most pins mark the centre of the place the source names for the site (a town, county or district), not the exact mine; U.S. sites from MSHA use MSHA's own coordinates for the mine. Hover for operator and outputs. Map outlines: Natural Earth (public domain); place lookup: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
6 of 7 sites have no plottable place and are not pinned.
Overview
How much does the U.S. import?
of U.S. lead use was met by imports in 2025 (USGS net import reliance).
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)
Did you know?
Lead was known to prehistoric people in the Near East, and finds suggest lead smelting began at least nine thousand years ago.
Checked against two independent sources. Verified 2026-10-26.
Sources: Wikipedia · Lead Action News (lead.org.au), The History of Lead Part 3 (Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA)
How concentrated is supply?
59% of world production comes from three countries (China, Australia, Peru). Concentrated.
Thirds of the bar: under 33%, 33 to 65%, 66% and over. Our own rule of thumb, not a USGS rating.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)
Supply
Who has it, and who digs it?
Where it is produced, 2025
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| China | 42% |
| Australia | 11% |
| Peru | 6% |
| United States | 6% |
| Russia | 6% |
| India | 5% |
Where the reserves are
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Australia | 36% |
| China | 23% |
| Russia | 9% |
| Mexico | 6% |
| Peru | 5% |
| United States | 5% |
Share of the world total as printed by USGS (rounded). Production and reserves are different things: reserves are what is economic to mine. Hover or focus a bar for its value, or switch to the table view.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)
Where U.S. imports come from
Choose a data set, then a view. A country keeps the same color in every chart on this page. Grey means other countries, or a country beyond the seven colors (always labeled). Hover or focus a mark for its value, or use the table view.
- Canada31%
- Korea, Republic of16%
- Mexico15%
- Australia13%
- Other countries25%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 31% | 31.0% |
| Korea, Republic of | 16% | 16.0% |
| Mexico | 15% | 15.0% |
| Australia | 13% | 13.0% |
| Other countries | 25% | 25.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of refined metal, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)
- Canada100% · $118.7M
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 100% · $118.7M | 100.0% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 2607; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
- Canada38% · $435.6M
- Mexico26% · $297.6M
- Australia14% · $164.0M
- Korea, South12% · $140.0M
- United Kingdom4% · $48.6M
- Kazakhstan2% · $22.2M
- All other countries4% · $45.5M
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 38% · $435.6M | 37.8% |
| Mexico | 26% · $297.6M | 25.8% |
| Australia | 14% · $164.0M | 14.2% |
| Korea, South | 12% · $140.0M | 12.1% |
| United Kingdom | 4% · $48.6M | 4.2% |
| Kazakhstan | 2% · $22.2M | 1.9% |
| All other countries | 4% · $45.5M | 3.9% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 7801; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
U.S. supply mix
thousand metric tons, 2021 to 2025
Imports are before exports, so the stack is not the same as U.S. consumption.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)
Price
Price, average, North American, cents per pound
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)
Trade and tariffs
Trade codes and tariffs
| HTS code | What it covers | Normal rate | Column 2 rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2607 | Lead ores and concentrates | 1.1¢/kg on lead content | 8.8¢/kg on copper content + 3.3¢/kg on lead content + 3.7¢/kg on zinc content |
| 7801 | Unwrought lead | 2.5% on the value of the lead content * | 10% to 10.5% |
Rates from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USITC, saved 2026-10-26). The normal rate is column 1 general; column 2 applies to countries without normal trade relations. A range means different products under the code have different rates. An asterisk means the schedule footnotes point to Chapter 99 additional-duty headings. Section 232, Section 301, emergency tariffs and antidumping or countervailing duties are set in separate notices and are not shown. Look up any code at hts.usitc.gov. These are the main codes for this mineral, not a complete list.
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, general and column 2 rates (edition current when saved)
U.S. trade by country
U.S. imports in 2025 by source country, code 7801
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Canada | 38% · $435.6M |
| Mexico | 26% · $297.6M |
| Australia | 14% · $164.0M |
| Korea, South | 12% · $140.0M |
| United Kingdom | 4% · $48.6M |
| Kazakhstan | 2% · $22.2M |
U.S. exports in 2025 by destination, code 2607
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Canada | 37% · $316.0M |
| Korea, South | 21% · $175.0M |
| China | 16% · $136.9M |
| Switzerland | 7% · $58.8M |
| Japan | 7% · $58.2M |
| Australia | 4% · $31.7M |
2607 Lead ores and concentrates
Top import sources Canada 100%
Top export destinations Canada 37%, Korea, South 21%, China 16%
7801 Lead, unwrought
Top import sources Canada 38%, Mexico 26%, Australia 14%
Top export destinations Mexico 58%, Belgium 19%, India 11%
U.S. Census Bureau International Trade API, saved 2026-10-26. Imports are general imports (customs value) and exports are total exports, in U.S. dollars. Duty collected is Census's calculated duty on imports for consumption. Figures cover every 10-digit product under the code, so they can include goods beyond this mineral, and the duty shown is not split into Section 232, Section 301 or antidumping duties. Bars show the largest code for each direction. Group rows such as the EU or OECD are left out so no country is counted twice.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports and exports by HS code and country (calendar 2025, and January to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Value chain and risk
Value chain: where the bottlenecks are
Mining
Lead was mined at five Missouri mines and recovered as a byproduct at two Alaska zinc mines and two Idaho silver mines in 2025. (U.S. activity)
The source says
“Lead was produced domestically by five lead mines in Missouri plus as a byproduct at two zinc mines in Alaska and two silver mines in Idaho.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead (PDF page 118) (2026-02)
Ore processing and primary recovery
U.S. mines produce lead concentrate, but nearly all of it has been exported since the last primary lead refinery closed in 2013. (U.S. activity)
The source says
“Lead was produced domestically by five lead mines in Missouri plus as a byproduct at two zinc mines in Alaska and two silver mines in Idaho.”
“Nearly all lead concentrate production has been exported since the last primary lead refinery closed in 2013.”
Source: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (2026)
Refining and separation bottleneck
Nearly all U.S. lead concentrate is exported because the last primary lead refinery closed in 2013. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Nearly all lead concentrate production has been exported since the last primary lead refinery closed in 2013.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead (PDF page 118) (2026-02)
Metal, alloy and chemical
Secondary lead was worth $2.4 billion in 2025, and net import reliance for refined lead rose to 33% from 27%. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“The value of the secondary lead produced in 2025 was $2.4 billion”
“the net import reliance increased to 33% from 27%.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead (PDF page 118) (2026-02)
Components and end use
Lead-acid batteries took an estimated 67% of U.S. lead use in 2025. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“The lead-acid battery industry accounted for an estimated 67% of U.S. apparent consumption of lead during 2025.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead (PDF page 118) (2026-02)
Recycling
About 1 million tons of secondary lead was produced in 2025, equal to 70% of apparent consumption, nearly all from old scrap, mostly lead-acid batteries. (U.S. activity)
The source says
“an estimated 1 million tons of secondary lead was produced, an amount equivalent to 70% of apparent domestic consumption.”
“Nearly all secondary lead was recovered from old scrap, mostly lead-acid batteries.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead (PDF page 118) (2026-02)
Bottleneck = one country dominates the stage, or the U.S. relies on imports for it, as the quote shows. “No sourced data yet” is not “no problem”.
Who operates it, where, and what comes out
4 operators, 7 named sites.
MiningOre processing and primary recoveryRefining and separationRecycling
Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company
2 sites · United States
Sources
Greens Creek mine
“The Greens Creek Mine is an underground cut-and-fill and long-hole stoping operation using flotation and gravity processes to recover silver, gold, lead, and zinc.”
“The mine is located in southeast Alaska, in the Tongass National Forest near Hawk Inlet on Admiralty Island National Monument, approximately 18 miles southwest of Juneau”
“The project is operated by Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company (HGCMC).”
Source: Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water, Greens Creek Mine (2026)
Greens Creek mill
“The major mine facilities include the underground mine, surface mill, dry stack tailings storage facility, wastewater treatment plant, administrative and camp facilities, ferry dock, and ship-loading facility.”
“The mine is located in southeast Alaska, in the Tongass National Forest near Hawk Inlet on Admiralty Island National Monument, approximately 18 miles southwest of Juneau”
“The project is operated by Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company (HGCMC).”
Source: Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water, Greens Creek Mine (2026)
Teck Alaska Incorporated
2 sites · United States
Sources
Red Dog mine
“The Red Dog Mine is an open pit, truck-and-loader operation using grinding and flotation processes to recover zinc and lead.”
“The mine is located in northwestern Alaska, in the De Long Mountains of the Western Brooks Range, approximately 82 miles north of Kotzebue”
“The project is a partnership between NANA and Teck Alaska Incorporated (Teck) (the operator).”
Source: Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water, Red Dog Mine (2026)
Red Dog mill
“The major Red Dog Mine facilities include the Red Dog Main Pit, Aqqaluk Pit, mill, Tailings Storage Facility, main waste stockpile,”
“All concentrates are exported to world markets via the DeLong Mountain Transportation System that connects the mine to port facilities on the Chukchi Sea.”
“The project is a partnership between NANA and Teck Alaska Incorporated (Teck) (the operator).”
Source: Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water, Red Dog Mine (2026)
The Doe Run Company
2 sites · United States
Sources
Viburnum Trend lead mines
“Located in Southeast Missouri, the Viburnum Trend is one of the world’s largest deposits of lead minerals.”
“Doe Run has been operating in this area for over 60 years and is a vital part of the region by providing jobs, maintaining infrastructure and supporting local communities.”
“The Viburnum Trend remains one of the world’s largest lead mines and a significant producer for the global market.”
Source: The Doe Run Company, Southeast Missouri (2026)
Buick Resource Recycling Facility (secondary lead smelter)
“The Doe Run Co.-Buick Resource Recovery Facility is located at 18594 Highway KK in Boss.”
“Currently Doe Run operates a secondary lead smelting plant at the site.”
“The recoverable lead-bearing material is then smelted in one of three furnaces and resold as secondary lead.”
Source: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Buick Resource Recycling Facility (2026)
Teck Resources
1 site · Canada
Sources
Trail Operations smelter and refinery
“Teck’s Trail Operations, located in the community of Trail in British Columbia, is one of the world’s largest fully integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complexes.”
“The metallurgical operations produce refined zinc and lead, a variety of precious and specialty metals, chemicals and fertilizer products.”
Source: Teck Resources, Trail Operations (2026)
Not a complete register: a missing name means not yet sourced. Outputs are products named in the checked quote; the source page may list more.
Policy and funding
Policy timeline and funding
No tagged items for this mineral yet. Browse all items.
Data tables
Lead: USGS tables
United States
| Measure | Unit | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption, refined metal | percent | 27 | 33 |
| Production: Mine, lead in concentrates | thousand metric tons | 304 | 280 |
| Production: Mine, recoverable lead | thousand metric tons | 296 | 270 |
| Production: Primary refinery | thousand metric tons | — | — |
| Production: Secondary refinery, old scrap | thousand metric tons | 1,030 | 1,000 |
| Imports for consumption: Lead in concentrates | thousand metric tons | s | s |
| Imports for consumption: Refined metal, unwrought | thousand metric tons | 410 | 520 |
| Exports: Lead in concentrates | thousand metric tons | 260 | 220 |
| Exports: Refined metal, unwrought (gross weight) | thousand metric tons | 37 | 22 |
| Consumption, apparent | thousand metric tons | 1,410 | 1,500 |
| Price, average, North American, cents per pound | cents per pound | 108.8 | 106 |
World production (thousand metric tons; top 6 of 12, plus other countries)
| Country | 2024 | 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1,940 | 1,900 | 42% |
| Australia | 481 | 480 | 11% |
| Peru | 291 | 290 | 6% |
| United States | 304 | 280 | 6% |
| Russia | 260 | 260 | 6% |
| India | 226 | 220 | 5% |
| Other countries | 498 | 500 | 11% |
World total 2025: 4,500 thousand metric tons (as printed by USGS, rounded).
World reserves (thousand metric tons; top 6 of 12, plus other countries)
| Country | 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 34,000 | 36% |
| China | 22,000 | 23% |
| Russia | 8,900 | 9% |
| Mexico | 5,600 | 6% |
| Peru | 5,000 | 5% |
| United States | 4,600 | 5% |
| Other countries | 5,900 | 6% |
World total 2025: 95,000 thousand metric tons (as printed by USGS, rounded).
U.S. import sources: Refined metal (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Canada | 31 |
| Korea, Republic of | 16 |
| Mexico | 15 |
| Australia | 13 |
| Other countries | 25 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead (February 2026)