The purity of lead ore is 79%, with only 6.86% silver and 0.49% iridium. Does this lead ore really exist?

According to geological research and actual deposit data, lead ore containing 79% lead, 6.86% silver, and 0.49% iridium has a theoretical possibility of existence, but it needs to be analyzed in conjunction with specific mineralization conditions

Rationality of lead ore purity

The theoretical lead content of galena (PbS) can reach 86.6%, and in actual mining, the purity of 79% belongs to a higher grade, which meets the requirements of ISO 630 standard for lead concentrate.

 The lead grade of the Dexin lead deposit in Xizang ranges from 0.53% to 5.45%, but high-purity ore bodies can be formed under specific geological conditions.

The specificity of silver content is 6.86%, which is significantly higher than the common level of silver associated with lead mines (usually<3%).

 But historical records show that ancient Egypt and Babylon once mined silver bearing galena, and modern industrial galena with silver content exceeding 5% requires special beneficiation processes.

The rarity of iridium content is 0.49%. Iridium content is extremely rare and usually exists in trace amounts in lead ore.

 If the deposit is related to ultrabasic rock masses (such as certain platinum group element deposits in South Africa), iridium may be enriched through special geological processes.

The current lead price for economic value assessment is about 500 yuan/ton, and high-purity ore can reduce smelting costs.

 The added value of silver and iridium is significant:

Calculated at 1500 yuan/kg, a silver content of 6.86% can contribute 1.029 million yuan/ton of value-added

Iridium, calculated at 1.2 million yuan/kg, has a potential value of 5.88 million yuan/ton with a 0.49% content

Please note that such extreme component ore bodies need to be verified through XRF and EPMA, and iridium recovery technology may affect actual economic benefits.

 Suggest further research on the genesis of mineral deposits and mineral processing experiments.