New Markets and the Environment: Challenges Facing the Lead-Zinc Industry

The Lead-Line Update held in conjunction with the 1977 SME-AIME Fall Meeting in St. Louis provided sessions on mining, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and economies to brief the record on the industry's activities and developments since the 1970 World Symposium on Lead and Line convened, also in St. Louis. Changes in the industry since 1970 have not been profound, notes the program committee, consisting of D. O. Rausch, F. M. Stephens, and B.C. Mariacher, cochairmen; and H. L. Clifford, S. C. Fall), and M. Snedeker. However, various environmental and conservation factors have had a direct impact on process consideration and operating practice; the result has been new mines, improved technology, and changing market opportunities. The general consensus of the participants is that the future for the Lead-zinc industry looks promising as new applications are found and new products resulting from intensive research reach the marketplace. The highlights of the HS technical papers presented at the 1977 session follows.