Last Lead Plant in US to Close

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Billy Jack

Billy Jack

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Don't know if true or not, but I just got an email saying the EPA was making it so hard on them that the last lead smelting plant in the US will close Dec 31, 2013.
I hope that is not true. If it is how do you think it will affect our sport and firearm ownership in general.
 
This is pretty old news. They are just importing lead from Mexico and China now because it is cheaper.

I do not believe this will impact lead prices at all since a large majority of lead is reclaimed over and over again these days. Just my .02 though.
 
This was the last "primary" smelter, which means they processed lead ore taken out of the ground. Most of the lead for making bullets comes from "secondary" smelters, which means they simply recycle the lead already in circulation. It's the secondary smelters who supply the bullet making business.

Lead is one of the easiest of the metals to recycle, and it's a huge business. China used to export lead, but with their economy booming, they've now become an importer of lead. New lead comes into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and Peru for the most part.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
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