A metallurgical method for treating lead ore, the characteristics of which are the smallness of the charge; the slow roasting, so that for every part of lead sulfide one part of sulfate and at least two parts of oxide are formed; the low temperature at which all of the operations are carried on; and the aim to extract all the lead in the reverberatory. The hearth is inclined toward the flue, and the lead is collected outside the furnace.