Mining on the Ozark Highlands: a heavy burden on the future. (included bibliography and related...

Although most cars in America run on unleaded fuel, all of them consume lead. Eighty percent of the lead used in this country goes into the production of lead-acid storage batteries for automobiles. Nearly all of that lead at one time rested deep under the hills of the Missouri Ozarks, and for almost three centuries miners have unearthed lead-rich ores from Missouri soil. Today, however, about two-thirds of national demand is supplied from recycling spent car batteries. According to the mineral industry, an even higher recycling rate is attainable. But the Doe Run Company (the wor