Samples from an ∼10 9 y old primordial deposit of galena (PbS), which had been submitted to a multistep pre-enrichment procedure making use of the predicted physical and chemical properties of element 114 (eka lead), were processed in the E.M. separator. Plates of synthetic quartz glass were exposed in the mass region 278–307 and subsequently used as fission track detectors after irradiation with reactor neutrons to an integrated flux up to 10 21 cm −2. Non-statistical fluctuations of the track density were not observed. From the statistical scatter a limit of detection of c(114 in lead ore)· σ f(114)≦(5±3) × 10 −22b· atom fraction was deduced.