ELECTRIC SMELTING OF LEAD SULPHATE RESIDUES ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A process for treatment, without prior sintering, of lead residues in which more than 70% of the lead is present as lead sulphates comprising addition of the said residues, together with a reductant containing carbon, and together with fluxes that will react to provide a slag containing FeO, CaO and SiO2, directly to an electric furnace operating at a temper-ature of 1000 to 1500°C in the slag layer, to produce in the furnace a lead bullion. A high grade lead bullion is obtained containing the major proportions of the lead, along with any precious metals present in the residues.