Lead smelting

Lead smelting is the process of extracting lead metal from its ores through heating and chemical reactions. Typically, lead is found in ores like galena, which is a combination of lead sulfide and other materials. During smelting, the ore is heated in a furnace, causing the lead to separate from impurities and other elements. The result is molten lead, which can be poured into molds and solidified. This process is crucial for producing lead used in batteries, radiation shielding, and various industrial applications. However, it poses environmental and health risks due to lead's toxicity.