End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Moderator: Taggure

Forum rules
NRA-ILA email alerts will be posted here. Moderators only may post new threads - all users can comment on threads.
Post Reply
User avatar
Taggure
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 2718
Joined: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:43:59

End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Taggure »

Posted on October 25, 2013
In December, the final primary lead smelter in the United States will close. The lead smelter, located in Herculaneum, Missouri, and owned and operated by the Doe Run Company, has existed in the same location since 1892.

The Herculaneum smelter is currently the only smelter in the United States which can produce lead bullion from raw lead ore that is mined nearby in Missouri's extensive lead deposits, giving the smelter its "primary" designation. The lead bullion produced in Herculaneum is then sold to lead product producers, including ammunition manufactures for use in conventional ammunition components such as projectiles, projectile cores, and primers. Several "secondary" smelters, where lead is recycled from products such as lead acid batteries or spent ammunition components, still operate in the United States.

http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/artic ... ember.aspx
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
Thomas Jefferson
SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI
(Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever)
Top
User avatar
Taggure
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 2718
Joined: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:43:59

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Taggure »

And we thought that Ammo was in short supply now just wait till next year.
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
Thomas Jefferson
SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI
(Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever)
Top
User avatar
allingeneral
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9678
Joined: Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:38:25
Location: King George, Virginia
Contact:
Contact allingeneral

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by allingeneral »

Will someone please just go blow up...I mean disband the EPA already?

Note: This post is a parody - I don't actually want someone to blow up the EPA.
Please consider a DONATION to VGOF to help cover our operating costs

Image
Top
User avatar
Taggure
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 2718
Joined: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:43:59

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Taggure »

They seem to cause more harm then good if you ask me.

Where is the Tree Bugger smilies?
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
Thomas Jefferson
SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI
(Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever)
Top
User avatar
Diggs27
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 103
Joined: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 23:36:14

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Diggs27 »

wow.... just another case similar to the coal mines of Virginia and West Virginia as well as the steel mills of western PA. And people wonder why our economy is as screwed up as it is.
Top
OakRidgeStars
VGOF Gold Supporter
VGOF Gold Supporter
Posts: 14108
Joined: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:13:20

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by OakRidgeStars »

Time to start scrounging old tire weights from the local auto repair shops again....
Top
User avatar
Palladin
VGOF Platinum Supporter
VGOF Platinum Supporter
Posts: 4154
Joined: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:06:43
Location: Louisa

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Palladin »

And good men contemplate why the greatest nation can't kep teh boolits on de shelfs...
Now is the time for all good men to get off their rusty dustys...
Top
User avatar
Remek
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 1065
Joined: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:59:57
Location: Fredericksburg, or that is the nearest recognizable locale

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Remek »

Is there a foreign source supplying at lower costs?

If not, I have to assume another company will soon show up. If they don't, maybe I should get into the business! Its needed everywhere.
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson
Top
User avatar
Remek
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 1065
Joined: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:59:57
Location: Fredericksburg, or that is the nearest recognizable locale

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Remek »

Palladin wrote:And good men contemplate why the greatest nation can't kep teh boolits on de shelfs...
Please enlighten me, where does the term for the bullet come from? i.e., bootlit.
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson
Top
User avatar
FiremanBob
VGOF Bronze Supporter
VGOF Bronze Supporter
Posts: 2083
Joined: Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:50:05

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by FiremanBob »

From the old French word "boulette" meaning a small cannonball. First found in English in the 1500s.
Author of The 10/22 Companion: How to Operate, Troubleshoot, Maintain and Improve Your Ruger 10/22
1022Companion.com
Project Appleseed Instructor
Top
User avatar
MarcSpaz
VGOF Platinum Supporter
VGOF Platinum Supporter
Posts: 6010
Joined: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:55:20
Location: Location: Location:

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by MarcSpaz »

Right now, the US is the third leading lead producer in the world, following behind Australia as #2 and China as #1. China produces 3 time more lead than the US... so I guess they will have plenty of bullets.

I am predicting the price on lead JHP's is going to double or triple in the next 2 years. All copper rounds are going to be the new norm, as well as $30-$40 for a box of 20 solid copper 5.56 / .223 AR rounds.
Top
User avatar
Remek
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 1065
Joined: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:59:57
Location: Fredericksburg, or that is the nearest recognizable locale

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Remek »

Thanks FiremanBob!

Thinking about stocking up on lead. Man, thats weird.
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson
Top
User avatar
Kreutz
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 4318
Joined: Sat, 06 Nov 2010 10:26:42

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Kreutz »

Remek wrote:If they don't, maybe I should get into the business! Its needed everywhere.
I cannot imagine the regulatory process involved with smelting lead.

I mean yes I get the need for some oversight since lead is toxic, but industrial processes have come a long way since the 1860's.
Top
User avatar
Remek
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 1065
Joined: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:59:57
Location: Fredericksburg, or that is the nearest recognizable locale

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Remek »

http://jpfo.org/articles-assd03/back-do ... ontrol.htm

[ Post made via Mobile Device ] Image
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson
Top
User avatar
Kreutz
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 4318
Joined: Sat, 06 Nov 2010 10:26:42

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Kreutz »

Does this mean tungsten bullets will be more cost effective?
Top
User avatar
MarcSpaz
VGOF Platinum Supporter
VGOF Platinum Supporter
Posts: 6010
Joined: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:55:20
Location: Location: Location:

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by MarcSpaz »

it a horrifying thought. Don't go after guns or ammo. Go after raw materials so that no one will connect the dots.

Well, plastic, nylon, steel, copper, brass, and lots of other materials can be used to make bullets. They are going to have to work a lot harder than that.
Top
User avatar
Remek
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 1065
Joined: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:59:57
Location: Fredericksburg, or that is the nearest recognizable locale

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Remek »

This really is the worst administration in history

[ Post made via Mobile Device ] Image
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson
Top
User avatar
GeneFrenkle
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 1738
Joined: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:19:07

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by GeneFrenkle »

Based on chatter from other boards which supposedly included folks from that area, the EPA had been after them for a couple of decades. also, the soil itself supposedly is normally high in Pb, so the cleanup is kinda pointless, if true. the company is also considering reopening somewhere else - different country, different state, or even across the street. Basically a retooling, i guess.

Anyway, it is sad it is closing down.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ] Image
And if Bruce Dickinson wants more cowbell, we should probably give him more cowbell!
Top
User avatar
Remek
VGOF Silver Supporter
VGOF Silver Supporter
Posts: 1065
Joined: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:59:57
Location: Fredericksburg, or that is the nearest recognizable locale

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by Remek »

Fingers crossed. I understood from the article that the epa put the new in in 2009.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ] Image
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson
Top
User avatar
NovaHunter
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:58:14

Re: End of an Era: Last U.S. Lead Smelter to Close in December

Post by NovaHunter »

There's one opinion at least that closing this smelter won't affect ammo availability or price.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... t-ammunit/
Ryan Gleason

Sic Semper Tyrannis
Top
Post Reply

Return to “National Rifle Association - Institute of Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Alerts”