Lead smelting secondary capacity

During the 1960s investment in new lead smelting capacity was fairly modest and evenly balanced between the primary and secondary sectors. The majority of new projects were located in the industrialised countries, and in particular in the USA. Following a period of exceptionally high lead prices, the 1970s saw a phenomenal expansion in secondary capacity (of... 

Clearly actual capital costs for each individual project partly depend on chosen scale, process technology and a range of site-specific factors. However, on the basis of recent or planned new greenfield developments, capital costs for new primary lead smelting focilities can be reasonably estimated at between US 2-3000 per annual ton of capacity, with new secondary lead capacity about one half to two-thirds of this. Where smelter refits or modifications are involved, and infrastructure already exists, the capital cost will clearly be much lower. 

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