Compared to 1970, the annual world production of refined lead has increased by 120% from 4.7 million tons, whereas mine production went up by almost 60% from 3.0 million tons Even in recent years the production of lead has significantly increased. From 2007 to 2011 the annual production of refined metallic lead has increased by 2.2 million tons or 27%, whereas the mine production went up by 1.0 million tons or 27%. Compared to other metals such as aluminum, copper, or zinc, this evolution may appear like a comparably small increase (see Fig. 4). However, it appears astounding that the world production of lead is of comparable level to zinc and copper!