Raw lead

[Bret4207]

Seeing as I have several "Lead Mine Roads" in my area, I'm wondering what raw lead looks like and how one processes it to get usable lead. Anyone have a website to recommend for this type thing?

[Texasflyboy]

Anyone have a website to recommend for this type thing?

Galena occurs naturally in the presence of other minerals. I've read historical documents where early pioneers mined the lead directly from the ground and smelted it over campfires into musket balls.

This website will show you what it looks like in pure form:

Galena (http://www.galleries.com/minerals/sulfides/galena/galena.htm)

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/sulfides/galena/galena.jpg

Wikipedia has useful info also:

Wikipedia - Galena (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galena)

The hardest part would be separating the raw ore from the other minerals and ensuring that you don't contaminate the melt.