Article on lead production...good read.

[Andy Griffith]

Lead mine supply problems building up | 03 October 2009 | www.commodityonline.com

The last sentence was the clincher...

The days of lead being a cheap metal may well have gone - perhaps not forever, but certainly for some time to come.

However, according to the article there will be some more mines gearing up in 2010 and 2011 in Australia, Russia, China, and strangely enough, Iran which will help supply the demand for lead, and may drive prices down in the short term once they get up and running.

I don't even know if we have a lead mine operating still in the US?

What does this mean to the reloader?
If you've been thinking about getting some shot, scrap lead and even wheelweights...don't dilly-dally! Get cracking!

 

[max]

I toured Hornady about a year ago and they said they get lead from Missouri. They had pallets of the stuff. I thought it odd that it comes in as an ingot and they melt it and make another ingot.

 

[jag312]

Isn't there a big lead mine in Idaho?

 

[David LaPell]

There is still a lot of lead here in NY, they just shut down the National Lead mine here in the Adirondacks because it cost too much to dig out and transport, but there is still plenty there.

 

[James_Joshua]

Zinc and Lead Mining in United States - Overview

Six lead mines in Missouri plus lead-producing mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Montana yielded most of the total. Primary lead was processed at two smelter-refineries in Missouri.

Thanks for posting the article Andy Griffith. With the Obama Pricing Plan still in effect and supply shortening, things will get more expensive.

 

[Andy Griffith]

One more bit of good news, I think...
A mine shut down since 2007 for "environmental" reasons should be reopening in Australia just after the first of the year.
They are going to start shipping stockpiled concentrate this month. Unfortunately, looks as though most of the lead may be headed to China instead of us.

Ivernia May Resume Australian Lead Exports This Month (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

 

[BSkerj]

WW may become scarce

WW may be a scarce item also...most large chain tire stores are going to steel/zinc weights. I get my WW's for free since I manage a large fleet of trucks and have a in with the people that I buy my tires from. I have noticed alot more steel mixed in and I am told it will only get worse.
I am now mining my local outdoor shooting range just in case. I hate to become a hoarder but looks like we better strike while iron is hot, or in this case "furnace".