Puma's got lead, 5.3% in the latest channel sample results, (Feb. 6, 2012 news release) and some may be wondering what this toxic metal might be good for in the 21st century. We've learned a lot about it since the time of the ancient Romans, who slowly poisoned themselves by its use in their plumbing as water intake pipes, in cookware and dishes, and even as a sweetener for wine. (!)
From ammunition to fishing sinkers to gasoline to paint, wax crayons and cheap jewellery, lead has been used in varying degrees all over the world for thousands of years.
Lead (Pb) is element #82, is corrosion resistant, soft and malleable.
Today, about two thirds of the lead used in industry (U.S.) goes into lead-acid car batteries, most obtained through recycling efforts, and it is essential in alloys for solder and other electronic applications. There are at least ten different lead compounds which are used in industry today, from glass and rubber manufacturing, to insecticides and fireworks.
Lead is used to line tanks that store corrosive liquids, such as sulfuric acid. Its high density makes it useful as a shield against X-ray and gamma-ray radiation and is used in X-ray machines and nuclear reactors. Lead is also used as a covering on some wires and cables to protect them from corrosion and as a material to absorb vibrations and sounds.
Although lead poisoning is still a concern all over the world, the phasing out of its use in gasoline additives and food can solder has sharply reduced blood lead levels since the 1980's in countries that have introduced a ban.
There has never been an acceptable level of exposure to lead; no threshold considered safe. People in countries of the third world are most at risk for poisoning, especially children. With its long history and global distribution, an ubiquitous and persistent heavy metal such as lead is here to stay.
It is therefore in the best interests of any producing exploration company to develop and closely guard the safety standards for its workers, especially if the jurisdiction has inadequate or no legislation regarding security from exposure to hazardous material.
Producing explorer or not, Puma Exploration is a supporter of the formal policy introduced in 2008 concerning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the form of "e3 Plus - A Framework for Responsible Exploration" developed by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). ("e3" stands for Environmental Excellence in Exploration.) It is a set of principles and guidelines for environmental best practice for the exploration industry as well as for the improvement of the social performance of exploration companies to reduce the risks to their projects.
Good call, Puma.