Galena (Lead Sulphide) is the most important lead ore. Other important ores such as cerrusite (lead carbonate) and anglesite (lead sulphate) may be regarded as weathered products of galena and they are usually found nearer to the surface.

Lead and zinc ores often occur together and for most extraction methods they have to be separated. The most common technique is selective froth flotation. The ore is first processed to a fine suspension in water by grinding in ball or rod mills - preferably to a particle size of less than 0.25 mm. The dilution of this suspension (or pulp) can vary from 5 to 40% solids by weight. Air is then bubbled through this pulp contained in a cell or tank and due to the previous addition of various chemicals and proper agitation, the required mineral particles become attached to the air bubbles and are carried to the surface to form a stable mineralized froth which is skimmed off. The unwanted or gangue particles are unaffected and remain in the pulp.

The chemicals added include frothing agents to produce the stable froth and collecting or promoting agents to give the desired mineral the right kind of surface - for example non wetting - for collection. Modifying agents are also added, notably depressants, which prevent collection of certain minerals, and activators which remove the effects of depressants. Thus, for example, with lead-zinc sulphide ores, zinc sulphate, sodium cyanide or sodium sulphite can be used to depress the zinc sulphide, while the lead sulphide is floated off to form one concentrate. The zinc sulphide is then activated by copper sulphate and floated off as a second concentrate. The froth is broken down by water sprays and the resulting mineral suspension is dewatered by appropriate filtration equipment.