Lexi Webster
Australia is a leading producer and exporter of lead, with large mines at Broken Hill, Mt Isa, McArthur River in the Northern Territory, and Hilton in Queensland. Lead mineralisation is widespread in Victoria, and deposits can also be found in Tasmania, and New South Wales. Lead is a bluish-white, shiny metal that is very dense but also very soft. It has been used by humans for thousands of years, from water pipes to coins, and is still used today in stained-glass windows and car engines. Despite its historical use, lead is toxic and harmful to human health, animals, and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| World's leading producer and exporter of lead | Australia |
| Large mines | Broken Hill, Mt Isa, Hilton in Queensland, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory |
| Lead is usually found in ore with | Zinc, silver, and copper |
| Percentage of global production | 9% |
| Exports of lead | Republic of Korea |
| Lead ore production | Rosebery in Tasmania, and Elura in New South Wales |
| Lead mineralisation | Victoria |
| Lead contamination | Potassium chloride supplement, petrol, paint, ceramics, water pipes, soil, stained glass windows, paved roads, airport runways, windblown dust, forest fires, solid and liquid fuel combustion burning, factories that burn fossil fuels or waste products |
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What You'll Learn
Lead in Australian exports
Australia is the world's leading producer and exporter of lead. The country accounts for 9% of global production, with large mines at Broken Hill, Mt Isa, and Hilton in Queensland, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory. In addition, lead ore is produced at Rosebery in Tasmania and Elura in New South Wales.
Australia's lead exports are expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.89% between 2023 and 2027, with the largest producers being Glencore and South32. The bulk of Australian production is exported as lead bullion to the United Kingdom and South Korea. Lead in ores and concentrates is sent to Japan for further processing, while refined lead is exported to Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia.
In terms of deposits, lead is usually found in ore that also contains zinc, silver, and copper and is extracted as a co-product of these metals. Lead mineralization is widespread in Victoria, but the deposits are small. Recorded production of lead ore amounts to approximately 800 tonnes, with the main ore mineral being galena (PbS). Small lenses of galena in limestone have been found in East Gippsland, notably in the Buchan–Murrindal area.
While Australia is a major producer and exporter of lead, it is important to note that the country also has strict regulations in place to address the known adverse effects of lead on human health, the environment, and other species. Lead was previously used in petroleum, paint, and ceramics but has since been banned in these applications due to its toxicity.
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Lead deposits in Australia
Australia is the world's leading producer and exporter of lead, with large mines at Broken Hill, Mt Isa, and Hilton in Queensland, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory. The country accounts for 9% of global production. Lead is usually found in ore, which also contains zinc, silver, and copper and is extracted as a co-product of these metals.
In the Mt Isa region, there is a large mine at the Cannington deposit, and the Century mine recently closed. The Dugald River and Lady Loretta deposits are yet to be developed. The McArthur River deposit in the Northern Territory is a significant lead producer, and lead ore is also produced at Rosebery in Tasmania and Elura in New South Wales.
Victoria also has widespread lead mineralisation, but the deposits are small. A few lead deposits have been mined in East Gippsland, notably in the Buchan–Murrindal area, where there is galena in limestone. Minor production has been recorded from Mount Deddick and Campbells Knob, with similar deposits of galena-rich quartz veins. Lead mineralisation has also been found at Errinundra and Pine Mountain, and galena is associated with gold mineralisation in several areas of the western Victorian goldfields.
Historically, lead deposits were discovered at Broken Hill in 1883 and Mt Isa in 1923. The nearby Hilton deposit was found in the late 1940s but was not developed until the 1980s. These deposits formed the basis of Australia's lead-zinc-silver mining industry.
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Lead toxicity in Australia
Lead toxicity, or plumbism, is a condition that has been recognised and forgotten cyclically over the past 6000 years. Lead is a bluish-white, shiny metal that is very dense yet soft and resistant to corrosion. It has been used in a wide range of applications over the centuries, from water pipes to coins.
In Australia, lead toxicity has been a recognised issue since the late 19th century when Australian physicians Gibson and Turner published the connection between lead content in house paint and clinical presentations of lead poisoning. Despite this, lead was used in petroleum, paint, and ceramics for many years, and Australia is now the world's leading producer and exporter of lead. Large mines can be found at Broken Hill, Mt Isa, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory.
The Australian population continues to be exposed to lead through various means, including contaminated opium, medications, and potassium chloride supplements. Lead is also released into the atmosphere from paved roads, airport runways, and the burning of solid and liquid fuels. Mining and smelting activities in Australia continue to adversely affect the health of local residents, particularly children and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The current threshold for lead toxicity, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is a blood lead level of 10 μg/dL. Australian studies of children in lead-exposed towns were instrumental in setting this threshold. The Australian government has acknowledged the issue of lead toxicity and has published a guide to renovating older homes, which are more likely to contain lead paint.
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Lead in Australian industries
Australia is a leading producer and exporter of lead. The largest mines are located at Broken Hill, Mt Isa, and Hilton in Queensland, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory. In addition, lead ore is produced at Rosebery in Tasmania and Elura in New South Wales. Australia's lead production often comes as a co-product of zinc, silver, and copper, which are commonly found in the same ore deposits.
The country's lead exports are primarily sent to the United Kingdom and South Korea, with refined lead also being exported to Taiwan, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia. Australia's lead production has decreased in recent years, but it still accounts for 9% of global production. The leading producers of lead in the country are Glencore and South32.
Lead has been used by humans for thousands of years, dating back to as early as 5000 BC. It has been utilised for various purposes, including water pipes, coins, stained-glass windows, and car engines. However, due to its toxic effects on human health, lead is no longer permitted in petroleum, paint, and ceramics. Despite this, lead continues to be present in the environment, with natural sources such as old water pipes, soil, and stained glass, as well as industrial sources like mining and metal manufacturing.
In Australia, the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) is responsible for tracking pollution and monitoring toxic substances, including lead, across the country. This helps identify sources and locations of emissions to minimise their harmful effects on human health and the environment. Despite these efforts, there have been recent cases of lead contamination in medications, highlighting the ongoing presence of lead as a potential health hazard.
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Lead in Australian homes
Australia is a top producer and exporter of lead, with large mines in Broken Hill, Mt. Isa, Hilton in Queensland, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory. Lead is also found naturally in the environment and in human settlements, which poses a risk to human health.
Sources of Lead in Australian Homes
Lead was historically used in a variety of products, including paint, ceramics, and petroleum, due to its desirable qualities such as malleability, durability, and resistance to corrosion. However, due to its toxic effects on human health, lead is no longer permitted in these products by law. Despite this, lead can still be found in older homes, particularly those built before 1970.
One of the most common sources of lead in Australian homes is lead-based paint. Lead was added to paint to improve its durability and colour, but it can be harmful when inhaled or ingested. Lead paint is most commonly found in older homes, as lead was gradually phased out of domestic paints in the 1960s due to growing concerns about lead poisoning.
Another source of lead in Australian homes is lead pipes. Lead was commonly used in water pipes because of its resistance to corrosion, but it can leach into drinking water, posing a health risk. Older homes may also have lead pipes, which can be replaced with safer alternatives.
Stained glass windows, particularly in older churches and historic buildings, may also contain lead. The lead helps hold the glass together and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the windows. However, it is important to handle these windows with care during renovations or repairs to avoid exposure to lead dust or fumes.
Reducing Lead Exposure
The Australian Government has published a guide to help homeowners safely renovate and reduce their exposure to lead. Additionally, the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) tracks lead emissions across Australia, providing data on the sources and locations of toxic substances, including lead. This information can help communities identify areas of high lead pollution and take action to reduce their exposure.
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Frequently asked questions
Lead is found in the environment, in old water pipes, soil, and stained glass windows. It is also released into the atmosphere from paved roads and airport runways.
Australia is the world's leading producer and exporter of lead, with large mines at Broken Hill, Mt. Isa, and Hilton in Queensland, and McArthur River in the Northern Territory.
Lead is a dangerous, poisonous substance that can be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. Lead toxicity, or plumbism, can cause varied effects on human health.
The largest sources of lead emissions in Australia are mining and metal manufacturing. Other sources include industrial activity, cars, wood heaters, and lawnmowers.
Lead was historically used in Australia in petroleum, paint, and ceramics, but its use has been reduced due to its known toxic effects. Lead was also found in house paint, contributing to cases of paediatric plumbism in the 19th century.
