Lead (Pb): Uses, Supply Chain and Market
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Lead goes mostly into lead-acid batteries, and most of the lead used in the United States is recovered from scrap batteries. In 2025 China produced an estimated 1,900 kt, 42% of world mine production (USGS world total: 4,500 kt), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). US net import reliance for lead in 2025 was 33%. Lead is on the US critical minerals list.
106 cents/lb
lead, average North American in 2025 (-3% on 2024)
Which countries produce lead?
| Country | 2024 | 2025 (estimate) | Share of 2025 world | Reserves (kt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1,940 | 1,900 | 42% | 22,000 |
| Australia | 481 | 480 | 11% | 34,000 |
| Peru | 291 | 290 | 6.4% | 5,000 |
| United States | 304 | 280 | 6.2% | 4,600 |
| Russia | 260 | 260 | 5.8% | 8,900 |
| India | 226 | 220 | 4.9% | 1,900 |
| Mexico | 240 | 200 | 4.4% | 5,600 |
| Bolivia | 110 | 100 | 2.2% | 1,600 |
| All other countries | 748 | 750 | 17% | NA |
| World total (USGS, rounded) | 4,600 | 4,500 | 100% | 95,000 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead. Shares are calculated from the country figures and can differ by a point or two from percentages USGS states in its text, because USGS rounds its figures. NA means not available; Withheld means USGS withheld the figure to avoid disclosing company data.
What is lead used for?
- Lead-acid batteries: 67% of US apparent consumption in 2025
- Starting-lighting-ignition batteries: for automobiles
- Industrial batteries: standby power for computer and telecommunications networks, and motive power
How much does lead cost?
| Price | Unit | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead, average North American | cents per pound | 113.0 | 116.5 | 114.1 | 108.8 | 106 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead. The 2025 figures are USGS estimates. Prices are annual averages of the series named in each row, so they are not live quotes.
Is lead a critical mineral?
Lead is on the US critical minerals list. Each government builds its list with its own method, so a mineral can be critical in one place and not in another.
| Jurisdiction | Status |
|---|---|
| United States | Critical mineral (final 2025 list) |
| European Union | Not listed |
| Australia | Not listed |
| Canada | Not listed |
Lists last checked against the primary publications on October 12, 2026. See the comparison of all four lists.
What are the substitutes for lead?
| Application | Substitute and trade-off |
|---|---|
| Cable covering and cans | Plastics |
| Solder for potable water systems | Tin |
| Electronics | Lead-free solders and flat-panel displays that do not require lead shielding |
| Wheel weights | Steel and zinc |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Lead. USGS says substitutes often cost performance or money; the table gives its wording for each application.
Can lead be recycled?
About 1 million tons of secondary lead was produced in the United States in 2025, equal to 70% of apparent domestic consumption. Nearly all of it was recovered from old scrap, mostly lead-acid batteries.
What are the supply risks and recent events for lead?
- 2025. US mine production of recoverable lead fell 9% as several mines cut output. Apparent consumption of refined lead rose 8% and net import reliance rose to 33% from 27%.
- January to August 2025. 23 million spent starting-lighting-ignition lead-acid batteries were exported from the United States, 23% more than the 19 million in the same period of 2024.
- October 2025. Global stocks of lead in London Metal Exchange warehouses were 217,000 tons, 10% below yearend 2024. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group forecast 2025 world refined lead production at 13.3 million tons and consumption at 13.25 million tons.
- November 2025. Lead was added to the US Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals.
US import sources, 2021 to 2024. Refined metal: Canada, 31%; Republic of Korea, 16%; Mexico, 15%; Australia, 13%; and other, 25%. (USGS)
Resources. Identified world lead resources total more than 2 billion tons. Significant resources have been identified with zinc, silver or copper deposits in Australia, China, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Russia and the United States (Alaska).
Which lead projects are on official lists?
| Project | State | Expected products | List |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronco Creek Exploration Project | Arizona | Copper, lead and zinc (exploration) | Transparency |
| Arctic Project | Alaska | Copper, zinc and lead | Covered |
| Contango Ore Johnson Tract Critical Metals Project | Alaska | Copper, zinc, gold, silver and lead | Covered |
| Red Dog Mine Life Extension Project | Alaska | Zinc, lead, silver and germanium | Covered |
| Doe Run | Missouri | Lead, zinc and copper | Transparency |
Source: Permitting Council, current covered projects and current transparency projects, last updated 2 April 2026.
Which companies produce or process lead?
| Company | Country | Role | What the source says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glencore | Switzerland (lead in Australia, Kazakhstan and custom smelters) | Lead miner and refiner (LSE: GLEN) | Its full year 2025 production report gives lead production of 143,000 tonnes in Australia (in line with 2024), own-sourced lead of 35,900 tonnes at Kazzinc in Kazakhstan (down 14%) and lead metal of 198,700 tonnes from its custom metallurgical assets (in line with 2024). Glencore: full year 2025 production report (29 January 2026) |
| Teck Resources | Canada (Red Dog mine in Alaska; Trail refinery in British Columbia) | Lead concentrate producer and refiner (TSX: TECK.A, TECK.B; NYSE: TECK) | Its 2025 management's discussion and analysis gives lead production of 107,000 tonnes at Red Dog (109,100 in 2024) and refined lead production of 80,100 tonnes at Trail (61,100). Teck Resources: 2025 management's discussion and analysis (Form 40-F exhibit) |
| Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium | China | Lead, zinc and germanium producer (SSE: 600497) | Its 2025 annual report, in Chinese, gives lead products of 169,900 tonnes in 2025 (166,200 in 2024) and lead in concentrate of 81,700 tonnes of contained metal, and silver products of 183.31 tonnes. Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (27 March 2026) |
| Hecla Mining | United States (mines in the US and Canada) | Silver miner producing lead as a by-product (NYSE: HL) | Its 26 January 2026 production release lists 2025 lead production of 56,130 tons, with silver the main product, and a lead price assumption of $0.90 a pound for its by-product credits. It gives no lead figure by mine. Hecla: full year 2025 production and 2026 guidance (26 January 2026) |
| The Doe Run Company | United States (Missouri) | Lead miner, refiner and battery recycler | Its website says it operates one of the world's largest lead mining districts and one of the largest single-site lead battery recycling centers, with over 1,200 employees. USGS says five lead mines in Missouri produced in 2025 and does not name the operator. The site gives no output. The Doe Run Company: company website |
Each row links to the document that supports it. The list is not exhaustive and is not a ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is lead used for?
Lead is used in lead-acid batteries, starting-lighting-ignition batteries and industrial batteries. Lead-acid batteries: 67% of US apparent consumption in 2025.
Which country produces the most lead?
China produces the most lead: an estimated 1,900 kt, or 42% of the world total, in 2025, according to the USGS mine production figures.
Is lead a critical mineral?
Yes. Lead is on the US critical minerals list. The United States added lead to its list in November 2025, when the final list grew from 50 to 60 minerals. US net import reliance for lead in 2025 was 33%.
How much does lead cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of lead at 106 cents/lb (lead, average North American; -3% on 2024).
Sources
Read on October 14, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lead. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
- Federal Register: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Australia’s Critical Minerals List and Strategic Materials List
- Government of Canada: Canada’s critical minerals
- Permitting Council: current FAST-41 projects
- Glencore: full year 2025 production report (29 January 2026)
- Teck Resources: 2025 management's discussion and analysis (Form 40-F exhibit)
- Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (27 March 2026)
- Hecla: full year 2025 production and 2026 guidance (26 January 2026)
- The Doe Run Company: company website
