Metal van (4)

I believe the answer is:

lead

I believe this is a double definition.

'metal' is the first definition.
(lead is a kind of metal)

'van' is the second definition.
(van can mean the front of something)

(Other definitions for lead that I've seen before include "spearhead" , "Live" , "Go ahead; element" , "conductor of electricity" , "Heavy malleable metallic element" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Guardian.

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