Production
Silver mine production rose by 2.5 percent to 735.9 Moz in 2010 aided by new projects in Mexico and Argentina. Gains came from primary silver mines and as a by-product of lead/zinc mining activity, whereas silver volumes produced as a by-product of gold fell 4 percent last year. Mexico eclipsed Peru as the world's largest silver producing country in 2010, and Peru is followed by China, Australia and Chile. Global primary silver supply recorded a 5 percent increase to account for 30 percent of total mine production in 2010.
Top 20 Silver-Producing Countries in 2010 (millions of ounces)
| Country | Output | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mexico | 128.6 |
| 2. | Peru | 116.1 |
| 3. | China | 99.2 |
| 4. | Australia | 59.9 |
| 5. | Chile | 41.0 |
| 6. | Bolivia | 41.0 |
| 7. | United States | 38.6 |
| 8. | Poland | 37.7 |
| 9. | Russia | 36.8 |
| 10. | Argentina | 20.6 |
| 11. | Canada | 18.0 |
| 12. | Kazakhstan | 17.6 |
| 13. | Turkey | 12.3 |
| 14. | Morocco | 9.7 |
| 15. | India | 9.7 |
| 16. | Sweden | 9.2 |
| 17. | Indonesia | 6.9 |
| 18. | Guatemala | 6.3 |
| 19. | Iran | 3.4 |
| 20 | South Africa | 2.8 |
Top 20 Silver-Producing Companies in 2010 (millions of ounces)
| Company | Country | Output | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | BHP Hilton | Australia | 46.6 |
| 2. | Fresnillo plc | Mexico | 38.8 |
| 3. | KGHM Polska Miedz | Poland | 37.3 |
| 4. | Pan American Silver Corp. | Canada | 24.3 |
| 5. | Goldcorp Inc. | Canada | 23.0 |
| 6. | Cia. Minera Volcan | Peru | 20.0 |
| 7. | Hochschild Mining | Peru | 17.8 |
| 8. | JSC Polymetal | Russia | 17.3 |
| 9. | Coeur d'Alene Mines corp. | USA | 16.8 |
| 10. | Sumitom Corp. | Bolivia | 14.4 |
| 11. | Kazakhmys plc. | Kazakhstan | 14.1 |
| 12. | Cia. de Minas Buenaventura | Peru | 13.5 |
| 13. | Southern Copper Corp. | USA | 12.6 |
| 14. | Xstrata Zinc | Switzerland | 11.6 |
| 15. | Teck Resources | Canada | 11.5 |
| 16. | Eti Gumus A.S. | Turkey | 11.5 |
| 17. | Kinross Gold | Canada | 11.3 |
| 18. | Hecla Mining | USA | 10.6 |
| 19. | Yamana Gold | Canada | 10.0 |
| 20. | Industrias Penoles | Mexico | 9.2 |
Find out more about silver at the www.SilverInstitute.org