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Research Elements

Galena

Compound · PbS

Elements

Lead, Sulfur

Crystal structure

One unit cell, the smallest block that repeats in every direction to build the whole crystal. Atoms on its faces, edges and corners are shared with the neighboring cells. Farther atoms are drawn fainter.
Cell: a = b = c = 5.9362 Å, all angles 90°
Space group: F m -3 m

Atom positions from the Crystallography Open Database entry 9008694 (Wyckoff, R. W. G., 1963).

Where it's found

Hydrothermal veins and replacement deposits in limestone, often together with sphalerite. Well-known sources include the Viburnum Trend in Missouri, Broken Hill in Australia and Freiberg in Germany. It often carries silver.

How it's mined

Underground by room-and-pillar mining or stoping, and in some places open pit. The ore is crushed and ground, and selective froth flotation separates galena from sphalerite and waste rock. Its high density (7.6 g/cm³) also suits gravity separation. The concentrate goes to a smelter.