Lead at $2750 a ton - Thieves target historic sites

For us lead-paint watchers, this story requires a shift in mindset - from lead as a health problem to a money-maker.

See, lead is selling in global commodity markets for about $2750 a ton.  That's down from last summer's high of $3900 a ton but still enough of an incentive for thieves to lift the lead from historic site.

Today, James Kanter of the INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE reports that those centuries-old churches in England are getting targeted for their lead. Recently, for example, about $15,000 worth of lead was taken from the roof of Rutland's St. Peter and St. Paul. Some pastors have put security devices on the roof to alert them of lead-snatchers.

Lead prices, like the prices of many other metals, are up because of rising demand from newly industrialized economies like China.  In the case of lead, supply is constrained right now because of problems with supplies from mines in Australia.  Kanter reports that new mines are gearing up in South America and Asia.