Journal article
The world's lead-zinc mineral resources: Scarcity, data, issues and opportunities
GM Mudd, SM Jowitt, TT Werner
Ore Geology Reviews | ELSEVIER | Published : 2017
Abstract
Lead and zinc keep humanity powered and sheltered, yet a comprehensive understanding of Pb-Zn resources in known mineral deposits has been lacking, leading to uncertainty over when we might expect the supply of these metals to face potential constraints. Addressing this, we compile an extensive database of the world's known Pb-Zn mineral deposits and provide in-depth analyses of their contained resources, ore-grades, economic value, by-products and geological settings. Our data indicate that at least 226.1 Mt Pb and 610.3 Mt Zn are present within 851 individual mineral deposits and mine waste projects from 67 countries (and one in international waters), at an average grade of 0.44 %Pb and 1...
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Funding Acknowledgements
This research is partly supported by funding from the Wealth from Waste Collaboration Cluster, a joint CSIRO Mineral Resources, CSIRO Manufacturing and multi-university project (including University Technology Sydney, Monash University, University of Queensland, Yale University and Swinburne University). We also kindly acknowledge the provision of compiled historical statistics for global Pb-Zn production by Dr Steve Mohr (formerly UTS). The extensive and constructive comments provided through the review process are respectfully acknowledged such thoroughness is sincerely appreciated and has clearly helped to make the paper more comprehensive and inclusive.