Let’s Take A Look At Local & Global Silver Production
Silver, as a currency, has the most promise for meteoric surges in value …
because of the limited number of naturally occuring silver mines world-wide,
and the high commercial demand for the metal in a variety of industries.
Here are some charts of the World’s Current Natural Silver Sources
Silver Production
Global silver mine production reached a fresh record high in 2010 totaled 680.9 Moz, driven by strong production increases in Bolivia, Russia, and Peru. Peru was the world’s biggest silver mining country in 2010, followed in the rankings by Mexico, China, Australia, and Chile.
Top 20 Silver Producing Countries in 2010
(millions of ounces)
1. Peru 118.3
2. Mexico 104.2
3. China 82.8
4. Australia 61.9
5. Chile 44.9
6. Poland 38.9
7. Russia 36.1
8. United States 36.0
9. Bolivia 35.8
10. Canada 21.5
11. Kazakhstan 20.2
12. Turkey 10.1
13. Argentina 9.9
14. Sweden 8.4
15. Indonesia 8.0
16. Morocco 7.8
17. India 7.1
18. Guatemala 3.2
19. Iran 3.2
20. South Africa 2.7
Top 20 Silver Producing Companies in 2010
(millions of ounces)
Company Country Output
1. BHP Billiton Australia 42.3
2. KGHM Polska Miedz Poland 38.4
3. Fresnillo Plc¹ Mexico 34.8
4. Cia. Minera Volcan² Peru 23.0
5. Pan American Silver¹ Canada 18.7
6. Cia. de Minas Buenaventura² Peru 17.5
7. Polymetal¹ Russia 17.2
8. Hochschild Mining Peru 16.9
9. Kazakhmys Kazakhstan 15.6
10. Southern Copper Corp. USA 12.3
11. Coeur d’Alene Mines¹ USA 12.0
12. Teck Resources Canada 11.6
13. Industrias Peñoles³ Mexico 11.2
14. OZ Minerals4 Australia 10.4
15. Kinross Gold5 Canada 10.1
16. Yamana Gold6 Canada 9.8
17. Goldcorp Canada 9.6
18. Codelco7 Chile 9.3
19. Xstrata Zinc8 Switzerland 9.0
20. Hecla Mining¹ USA 8.7
¹ Primary silver producer.
² Includes attributable production from minority subsidiaries.
³ 2007 restated following Fresnillo Plc listing.
4 Pro-forma, subsequent to Oxiana-Zinifex merger.
5 Estimate.
6 Pro-forma sales, subsequent to Meridian acquistions.
7 Contained silver in anode slimes.
8 Reported sales.
World’s Leading Primary Silver Mines in 2010
(millions of ounces)
Rank Mine/Country Operating Company Prod.
1. Cannington¹, Australia BHP Billiton 34.56
2. Fresnillo, Mexico Fresnillo Plc 33.78
3. Dukat, Russia OJSC Polymetal 12.50
4. Uchucchacua, Peru Compañia de Minas Buenaventura SA 11.42
5. Arcata, Peru Hochschild Mining 9.03
6. Greens Creek², U.S. Hecla Mining Co 7.23
7. Imiter, Morocco Société Métallurgique d’Imiter 6.25
8. Alamo Dorado, Mexico Pan American Silver Corp 6.12
9. San José, Argentina Hochschild Mining / Minera Andes 4.38
10. Pallancata, Peru Hochschild Mining / International Minerals Corp 4.19
11. La Colorada, Mexico Pan American Silver Corp 3.91
12. Huaron, Peru Pan American Silver Corp 3.63
13. Lunnoye, Russia OJSC Polymetal 3.40
14. Ying³, China Silvercorp Metals Inc 3.41
15. Tayahua4, Mexico Grupo Carso 3.29
¹ Reported payable metal in concentrate; ² 2010 estimate; ³ Reported Sales; 4 Estimate
Material and statistics in this section were adapted in part from the Silver Institute’s World Silver Survey 2010 publication.
Commercial Sources For Silver – Here’s Where You Can Buy NOW
Apmex
http://www.apmex.com
Austin Rare Coins
http://www.austincoins.com
Blanchard
http://www.blanchardonline.com
Bullion Direct
http://www.bulliondirect.com
Fast Coin
http://www.fastcoin.com
First Majestic
http://www.firstmajestic.com
Gainesville Coins
http://www.gainesvillecoins.com
Golden Eagle Coins
http://www.goldeneaglecoin.com
Goldline
http://www.goldline.com
HW Minting Company
http://www.hwmint.com/default.shtml
Kitco
http://www.kitco.com
Lear Capital
http://www.learcapital.com
Monarch Precious Metals
http://www.monarchpreciousmetals.com
Northwest Territorial Mint
http://www.nwtmint.com
Perth Mint – Australia
http://www.perthmint.com.au
Provident Metals
http://www.providentmetals.com
Rosaland Capital
http://www.roslandcapital.com
Royal Silver Company
http://www.royalsilver.com/
Silvertowne Mint
http://www.silvertownemint.com/
Westminster Mint
http://www.coin-rare.com
What’s Coming Next ?…
Future Posts of Precious Metal Promoters
Hey my friends, I hope that the infomation in this post has provided you with
a Global Perspective on Silver … and where it is “sourced”.
In the next posts regarding silver, we’re going to look at how to acquire it,
as an investor.
What are the Best Forms of silver for investor value?/ Future Liquidity? …
– Bullion Bars
– Bulliion Coins
– Bullion “Certificates”
What are the Best Strategies for Storage and Future Access?
– Personal Home Vaults and Strong Boxes
– Banks and “Facilities-Based” Storage
– Multiple Locations versus One Storage Center
– Global Sites For the World Traveller
Precious Metals are your Best Investment to Preserve Future Buying Power.
Make Sure that you have Precious Metals as a part of your Financial Portfolio.