A process for manufacturing white lead in which softened and desilverized lead anodes, preferably containing some bismuth, are placed in the Sperry cells. Direct current dissolves the lead from the anodes, and carbon dioxide is used to precipitate white lead (basic lead carbonate) from the solution. The Sperry process slime, which contains the impurities from the anodes, is washed, dried, and melted to an impure bismuth bullion, which goes to the bismuth refinery.