Lead

Laboratory: SGS Pakistan – Chemical & Environmental Lab, Karachi

Report Reference: PKS2112953

Date: September 20, 2021

Sample Type: Lead ore (client-provided sample)

Testing Methods:

• Multi Acid Digestion (AAS / ICP-OES)
• Aqua Regia (Silver)
• Gravimetric (Sulfur)

Summary

This SGS analysis confirms an exceptionally high-grade lead (Pb) ore sample from Pakistan. With 84.55% Pb, the sample falls into a premium-grade category and is further strengthened by a meaningful silver credit (980 ppm) and minor associated antimony. The chemistry indicates a highly valuable lead-rich ore suitable for premium positioning, subject to representativeness and bulk verification.

Lab Result

Note: Key economic metals are shown in bold (both lead and silver as the main value metals).

Main economic metal

• Lead (Pb ≈ 84.55%)

  • This is an exceptionally high lead grade and places the sample in a premium category.

  • It is substantially above many ordinary commercial lead ore grades and would be highly attractive to lead smelters.

• Silver (980 ppm)

  • This is a strong silver credit and materially improves the commercial value of the ore. At this level, silver is not just a trace indicator; it is a meaningful associated payable metal.

• Antimony (803.5 ppm)

  • Antimony is present at a minor level. It is not the main economic driver here, but it adds some technical interest and may be viewed as a secondary associated element.

Penalty / sensitive elements

• Arsenic (As): 30 ppm

  • Arsenic is present at a low level and is not alarming in this result, though buyers will still monitor it.

• Zinc (Zn): 0.02%

  • Zinc is negligible in this sample and does not materially affect the economics.

• Sulfur (S) at 11.53%  is significant, but in a lead sulfide ore this is expected. It is not automatically a negative; it is part of the mineral form and must be evaluated in relation to the buyer’s process.

From a market perspective, this sample is suitable for presentation as premium-grade lead ore.

Potential market use

• Feed for primary lead smelters
• Silver-bearing lead ore for buyers who value associated Ag
• High-grade blending material for mixed lead cargos
• Premium sample for technical marketing and negotiation

Commercial attractiveness

• The 84.55% Pb grade is exceptionally strong and immediately marketable in principle.
• The 980 ppm Ag content makes the sample especially attractive for lead-silver buyers.
• Low Zn and low As improve the general appearance of the chemistry.

Laboratory: Haniwa Ayoudi Mines Exploration & Laboratory Co.

Sample ID: HA-Lab-No-15

Sample name / description: “1” – type of sample: lump ore

Sample weight for analysis: 200 g

Material form: Two hand-sized lump pieces, dark grey metallic with brownish weathering, typical of galena-rich material.

Sample receiving date: 2025-03-01

Analysis date: 2025-03-02

Analytical method: XRF (handheld x-met8000)

Summary

This report represents a bulk XRF scan of a representative lead ore lump sample from Afghanistan.
The data show a very high lead grade with a significant silver credit, supported by low to moderate levels of other metals and typical gangue elements.

Lab Result

Note: Key economic metals are shown in bold (lead as the main value metal, silver as by-product credit).

Main economic metal

• Lead (Pb ≈ 76.5%)

  • This grade is characteristic of high-grade galena ore.

  • Pure galena (PbS) contains ~86.6% Pb; the reported value indicates rock that is mostly galena with some gangue and minor metals.

Valuable by-products

• Silver (Ag ≈ 0.03–0.04%)

  • Equivalent to ~300–400 g/t Ag, which is a very attractive silver grade for lead–silver smelters.

  • Buyers would normally confirm this silver content using wet chemistry or fire assay before finalising commercial terms.

• Tin (Sn ~0.07%) & Antimony (Sb ~0.027%)

  • Present at a few hundred ppm.

  • Not primary ore grades on their own, but in a large deposit they may provide small by-product value depending on the flowsheet.

Penalty / sensitive elements

• Mercury (Hg 0.078%) and Thallium (Tl 0.143%)

  • These are environmentally sensitive and can attract penalties in smelter contracts.

  • Their presence must be monitored and disclosed during detailed negotiations.

• Other elements such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Ba are at low levels and act mainly as gangue or minor impurities.

The chemistry and physical form indicate a high-grade lead ore suitable as feedstock for lead–silver smelters.
The lead content (~76.5% Pb) is the primary value driver, and the indicated silver content (~300–400 g/t) can provide a strong silver credit in typical lead–silver operations.
The ore is best suited for:
Primary lead smelters
Lead–silver refineries that can handle galena concentrates or high-grade lump ore
For international trading, buyers will typically require:
Confirmation of silver content, penalty elements (Hg, Tl), and moisture by accredited laboratories
Information on particle size distribution (if shipped as crushed ore or fines)
Consistent multi-sample data demonstrating that this grade is representative, not just a single exceptional piece.

Overall, the sample represents a commercially attractive high-grade lead–silver ore, provided that follow-up testing confirms similar quality across production lots and that penalty elements are managed within acceptable limits.

Lead Ore Enquiry