Mining greatly affected the currency and weaponry o f the Qing dynasty as well as the exploitation of minority areas in western China. Mining thus became a symbol of “the flourishing age of Kangxi Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns” in the Qing dynasty. The achievements of mining were primarily in the development and smelting of copper and lead. This paper is a study on the most important Qing lead deposits, located in Dading prefecture in Guizhou province. Focusing on the output, distribution, and sale of lead, the author demonstrates how a remote region affected the entire nation after native chieftains were replaced by imperial officials.