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Silver mining is the extraction of silver by mining. Silver is a precious metal and holds high economic value. Because silver is often found in intimate combination with other metals, its extraction requires the use of complex technologies. In 2008, approximately 25,900 metric tons of silver were consumed worldwide, most of which came from mining. (2025). 9780471238966 ISBN 9780471238966 Silver mining has a variety of effects on the environment, humans, and animals.
/ref> Silver mainly occurs as a contaminant in chalcopyrite and galena, important ores of copper and lead, respectively.Bevan, J., Clark, A., & Symes, R., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Mineral Kingdom: Chapter 5: The Mineral Kingdom. Hamlyn, Toronto, 1978. .Kassianidou, V. 2003. Early Extraction of Silver from Complex Polymetallic Ores, in Craddock, P.T. and Lang, J (eds) Mining and Metal production through the Ages. London, British Museum Press: 198–206
Some ores are actually mined explicitly for their silver value vs. the silver being a byproduct of other metals. However, silver is only found rarely in a Native metal form as nuggets, in placer deposits, and veins.
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In metallic replacement, a solution of silver thiosulfate is converted to the metallic state by the action of a solid reducing agent, such a steel wool. The equipment in this process is commonly referred to as "metallic recovery cartridges".
Precipitation refers to the process of extracting silver from silver-rich solutions. This technique uses precipitating agents to form silver sulfide in the solution. The precipitation method is not extensively utilized due to the fact that excess sulfide can result in the release of toxic gas.
Mexico was the world's largest silver producer in 2014, producing 5,000 (161 million ), 18.7 percent of the 26,800 tonnes (862 million troy ounce) production of the world.
| +Top 6 Production Stage Silver Mines (2011) !Mine !Country !2010 Production !2020 Production | |||
| Cannington Mine | Australia | 38.6 Moz | 11.792 Moz |
| Fresnillo Silver Mine | Mexico | 38.6 Moz | 13.055 Moz |
| San Cristobal Polymetallic Mine | Bolivia | 19.4 Moz | |
| Antamina mine | Peru | 14.9 Moz | |
| Rudna mine | Poland | 14.9 Moz | |
| Peñasquito Polymetallic Mine | Mexico | 13.9 Moz |
| +Top 6 Near-Term Silver Mine Development Projects Through 2015 !Project !Country !Anticipated Annual Production Capacity (due within five years) | ||
| Pascua Lama | Chile | 25.0 Moz |
| Navidad | Argentina | 15.0 Moz |
| Juanicipio | Mexico | 14.0 Moz |
| Malku Khota | Bolivia | 13.2 Moz |
| Hackett River | Canada | 13.1 Moz |
| Corani mine | Peru | 10.0 Moz |
| +Top 10 Largest Silver Mining Companies Through March 2023 !Company Name !Revenue !Net Income !Exchange | |||
| Industrias Penoles SAB de CV (IPOAF) | $5.57 billion | $89.25 million | OTC |
| Polymetal International PLC (AUCOY) | $2.67 billion | $164 million | OTC |
| Fresnillo PLC (FNLPF) | $2.50 billion | $236.46 million | OTC |
| Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS) | $1.54 billion | $154.956 million | Nasdaq |
| Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM) | $1.11 billion | $794.82 million | New York Stock Exchange |
| Buenaventura Mining Co. Inc. (BVN) | $831.79 million | $351.70 million | New York Stock Exchange |
| Coeur Mining Inc. (CDE) | $783.40 million | $137.96 million | New York Stock Exchange |
| Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (FSM) | $715.70 million | $40.39 million | New York Stock Exchange |
| Hecla Mining Co. (HL) | $709.16 million | $21.02 million | New York Stock Exchange |
| First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG) | $684.12 million | $101.43 million | New York Stock Exchange |
Silver is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, and slag heaps found in Asia Minor and on the islands of the Aegean Sea indicate that silver was being separated from lead as early as the 4th millennium BC. By 1,200 BC, silver mining shifted into the mines of Laurion in Greece, and continued growing the surrounding empire. The silver mines at Laurion were very rich and helped provide a currency for the economy of ancient Athens, where the process involved mining the ore in underground galleries, washing and then smelting it to produce the metal. Elaborate washing tables still exist at the site which used rain water held in cisterns and collected during the winter months.
By the year 100 AD, the epicenter of silver mining transitioned into Spain, where the Roman Empire flourished. The Romans took over silver mining in Spain from Carthage after their acquisition of Carthaginian territories there following the Second Punic War. Extraction of silver from lead ore was widespread in Roman Britain very soon after the Roman conquest of the first century AD.
One of the main aims of the Viking expansion expansion throughout Europe was to acquire and trade silver. Bergen and Dublin are still important centres of silver making. An example of a collection of Viking-age silver for trading purposes is the Galloway Hoard.
From the mid-15th century silver began to be extracted from copper ores in massive quantities using the liquation process creating a boost to the mining and metallurgy industries of Central Europe.
/ref> Silver was extremely valuable in China, and became a global commodity. carried across the Pacific, contributing to the rise of the Spanish Empire. The rise and fall of its value affected the world market. from the silver of Potosí, Bolivia. The amount of silver mined at Potosí and other locations in the Spanish Empire led to significant inflation in Europe.]]In the first half of the 19th century Chilean mining revived due to a silver rush in the Norte Chico region, leading to an increased presence of Chileans in the Atacama desert and a shift away from an agriculture based economy.
The country of Argentina was named after its silver resources by Spanish conquistadors; Argentina is a Spanish adjective meaning "silvery".
Silver mining was a driving force in the settlement of western North America,Dan Oancea: Silver Deposits – Carbonate Replacement Deposits http://technology.infomine.com/articles/1/693/silver.deposits.crd/silver.deposits.carbonate.aspx with major booms for silver and associated minerals (lead, mostly) in the galena ore silver is most commonly found in. Notable were in Colorado; Nevada; Cobalt, Ontario; California and the Kootenays region of British Columbia; notably in the Boundary Country and "Silvery" Slocan Valley. A silver rush in Idaho produced mines in an area known as Silver Valley, a handful of which are still active today.Gillerman, Virginia (December 4, 2019). "Idaho Mining and Exploration, 2019"(PDF). Idaho Geological Survey. Retrieved April 23, 2020. The first major silver ore deposits in the United States were discovered at the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, Nevada, in 1859. By the 1870's, silver production had increased from 40 millions ounces per year to 80 million.
From 1872 to 1920, a surge of technological innovation increased global silver production to 120 million ounces produced per year. New silver deposits had been discovered in Australia, Canada, United States, Africa, Mexico, Chile, and Japan, and by the end of 1920, global production surged to 190 million ounces annually. The mining techniques during the 1900's had also dramatically changed. Seam-assisted drilling, mine dewatering, and improved haulage all contributed to the spike in silver production in the 1900's. By 2019, technological innovation has allowed silver production to grow to almost 800 million ounces per year.
The Patio process methods have proven problematic. It is estimated that 90% of the mercury consumed in the United States from 1850 to 1900 was used to extract silver and gold.
In the year 2000, small-scale miners in Chile experienced many risks to their health, safety, and hygiene from toxic pollution. This was due to wastewater being released into underground waters and creating significant quantities of mercury.
Contaminants are also known to enter drinking water in and around abandoned silver mines. Well water in South Morelos State, Mexico, was found to have high concentrations of toxic minerals including arsenic, iron, manganese, lead, and fluorine.Esteller, M.V., Domínguez-Mariani, E., Garrido, S.E. et al. Groundwater pollution by arsenic and other toxic elements in an abandoned silver mine, Mexico. Environ Earth Sci 74, 2893–2906 (2015). This is attributed to the abandoned and flooded silver mine at Huautla. Groundwaters flooded the mine-shafts after they were abandoned in the early 1990s, which allowed for oxidation and mobilization of these dangerous contaminants.
The use of addictive substances is also an active concern amongst indigenous workers. Well-paid workers are more likely to buy alcohol and Binge drinking. This leads to various health effects such as cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Silver mining operations in indigenous communities lead to increased hunting pressure and a decline in traditional practices due to population growth and better hunting technologies. This affects local animal populations and cultural rituals. People spend time at the mine rather than in traditional activities like hunting and fishing, which threaten the spreading of ecological knowledge and cultural practices. While mining can provide economic resources for purchasing hunting equipment, it also accelerates the decline in traditional lifestyles and cultural heritage, impacting food security and community cohesion in indigenous populations.
Mining projects also pose significant threats to family integrity, manifesting in decreased quality and quantity of family life due to long working hours and associated stressors, as well as disruptions to traditional familial roles and responsibilities. Limited time for communication and support may exacerbate existing problems within families. This leads to fragmentation and potential conflicts, with spouses having increased household responsibilities and children facing adverse consequences such as behavioral issues and academic struggles.
Silver mining in indigenous communities lead to social change with Western values often replacing traditional ones. While some argue that mining can promote cultural values such as independence and pride through job creation and increased disposable income, others highlight negative impacts such as the loss of traditional languages, attributed to factors like migration, labor market participation, and lack of educational support.
/ref> An estimated 257,400 tonnes of mercury were lost to the environment in this process in the Americas since the patio process was first used. 60–65% of this is likely released into the atmosphere, being the single largest contributor to the global mercury cycle.
Effects of silver mining on Indigenous communities
Mining has negative impacts on both humans and societies. It affects Indigenous peoples living in communities nearby silver mines in many ways. Mine work puts a significant amount of mental stress on indigenous workers due to long hours, rough working conditions, repetitive nature of the work, roster schedules, and potential job loss.
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