While most of the lead produced by Doe Run is used for lead-acid batteries, the metal also has a history of truly beautiful applications.
“Extracted from the mineral galena, lead metal is a deep silver color, with crystals that reflect light,” said Jim Husman, Senior Mine Geologist and Minerals Education team member at Doe Run. “The metal’s qualities carry over into its end-uses, contributing to the beauty of a number of products including stained glass windows and lead crystal glass.
For centuries, lead has played an important role in the sights and sounds of places of worship. Stained-glass windows, particularly those found in cathedrals, traditionally include a network of lead strips, called “came,” that hold the colored glass pieces snugly in place. From cathedrals to palaces, lead as an “oxide” has been responsible for creating beautiful crystal chandeliers that capture and refract light into prisms of color.
PHOTO CAPTION (RIGHT): Small and mid-sized organ pipes are formed from lead alloys. Lead’s balance of rigidity and flexibility helps create an organ’s rich, full tones.
Lead’s praises are also prevalent in sacred music. Small and mid-sized organ pipes are formed from lead alloys. Lead’s unique balance of rigidity and flexibility helps create the rich, full tones that have become a hallmark of religious services.
But it’s not just churchgoers who have the opportunity to witness the beauty of lead’s properties. Lead’s beauty is also on display underground, where mining operations can create beautiful waterfalls, glittering rock faces and dramatic rock pillars.
“We take our commitments to both the environment and our communities seriously, which is why we take such pride in returning mining-related sites to their former allure,” said John Carter, Doe Run’s manager of mining properties maintenance and restoration.
“It’s widely known that lead fulfills essential societal needs such as power and protection,” Carter said. “What isn’t as well-known are less common applications such as pipe organs and stained glass windows that also help showcase lead’s versatility and beauty.”
PHOTO CAPTION (LEFT): Lead’s unique chemical properties carry over into its end uses, contributing to the beauty of a number of products including stained glass windows.
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