Effective electrowinning of lead directly from its sulfide ore requires a fundamental understanding of its electrodissolution process. Studies made on the anodic dissolution of
normalPbS
in hydrochloric acid have shown that there are obstructions to the electrodissolution due to some passivation. Detailed surface examination (SEM‐EDAX and x‐ray diffraction studies) is conducted to determine the nature of the passivation products at various potential regions. It has been shown that crystalline sulfur, lead chloride, and lead sulfate are responsible for the observed phenomena.