2014 Minerals Yearbook

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

SILVER [ADVANCE RELEASE]

June 2016
Silver—2014 [ADVANCE RELEAS

Silver

By Micheal W. George

Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Jesse J. Inestroza, statistical assistant, and the world production table 

was prepared by Glenn J. Wallace, international data coordinator.

In 2014, the United States produced 1,180 metric tons (t) of

silver, which was 14% more than that of 2013 (table 1). Silver 

was produced in 11 States in 2014, and Alaska remained the 

leading silver-producing State, followed by Nevada and Idaho.

Approximately 99% of domestic silver was produced from basemetal ores at 11 mines and from precious-metal ores at 15 mines 

(table 3).

The Engelhard price of silver averaged $19.37 per troy ounce

in 2014, a 19% decrease compared with the 2013 average price 

of $23.87 per troy ounce (table 1). The combination of slower 

economic growth in China, a stronger U.S. dollar relative to 

other currencies, a decrease in silver investment, and a decrease 

in physical demand led to the drop in silver prices (Silver 

Institute, The, 2015, p. 8, 12)

Traditional use categories for silver included coin and medal 

fabrication; industrial applications, including brazing alloys and 

solders, electrical and electronics components, photography, and 

photovoltaics; jewelry; non-coin investments; and silverware. In

2014, global use of silver decreased by 4% compared with that 

of 2013. All silver applications experienced a decrease, with the 

exception of brazing alloys and solders, jewelry, photovoltaics, 

and silverware (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 8, 50). In 2014

apparent consumption of silver in the United States of 7,230 t 

was slightly less than that of revised 2013 consumption as 

reflected by a decrease in imports of dore and reduced silver 

recovery from scrap.

In 2014, silver was mined in approximately 65 countries.

Production was estimated as 26,800 t, a 4% increase from 

25,800 t in 2013. Mexico was the leading producer, followed 

by China, Peru, Australia, and Chile. These five countries 

accounted for 60% of the global production of silver. The United 

States ranked ninth in world silver mine production in 2014.

Legislation and Government Programs

On September 30, 2014, the amount and value of Deep Storage 

and Working Stock custodial silver reserves held by the U.S. 

Mint were 498 t with a total market value of $347 million at 

$21.68 per fine troy ounce and a statutory value of $20.7 million. 

As custodian, the U.S. Mint is responsible for safeguarding much 

of the Nation’s gold and silver. In accordance with 31 U.S. Code

section 5117(b) and 31 U.S. Code section 5116(b)(2), a statutory 

rate of no less than $1.292929292 per fine troy ounce was used 

to value the custodial silver held by the U.S. Mint (U.S. Mint, 

2015, p. 43).

In 2014, global physical silver investment (bars, coins, and

medals) was 20% lower than that of 2013 but was significantly 

higher than the historic average. Physical silver investment 

in 2013 was significantly larger than any other year recorded 

(Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 17)

Production

Domestic mine production data were requested from 

42 operations. Of these operations, 36 responded to the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) canvass, representing 100% of U.S. 

mine production listed in table 1. Domestic mine production of 

silver was 1,180 t in 2014, which was 14% more than that in 

2013. Significant production increases took place in Idaho and 

Nevada. Silver in the United States was mainly produced as a 

byproduct from gold and base-metal ores, although silver was 

produced as a principal product at the Galena, Lucky Friday,

and Rochester Mines, with mine production of about 4%, 9%,

and 11%, respectively, of 2014 U.S. silver production. After 

the resumption of mining in 2013, Hecla Mining Co.’s Lucky

Friday Mine in Idaho produced 101 t in 2014, more than double

the 45 t produced in 2013. The mine had been closed at yearend 

2011 following an accident and rock burst and reopened in 

the first quarter of 2013. Production at Hecla’s Greens Creek 

Mine on Admiralty Island near Juneau, AK, increased by 5%

to 243 t from 232 t in 2013 owing to higher throughput and 

the processing of higher grade ore (Hecla Mining Co., 2015, 

p. 28, 30). In 2014, Coeur Mining, Inc.’s Rochester Min

near Lovelock, NV, produced 130 t, 50% more than 201

production. The production gains resulted from the completion 

of an expansion of the leach pads in 2013 and a commensurate 

increase in the amount of ore processed as well as higher silver 

ore grades and silver recovery rates (Coeur Mining, Inc., 2015,

p. 38). Silver production at the Allied Nevada Gold Corp.’s 

Hycroft Mine, near Winnemucca, NV, was 57 t, a greater

than 100% increase from 27 t in 2013 following an expansion 

project that was completed in 2013 (Allied Nevada Gold 

Corp., 2015, p. 39).

Scorpio Mining Corp. and U.S. Silver and Gold Inc. merged

on December 14, 2014, and continued to operate as Scorpio 

Mining Corp. In 2014, the Galena Complex (operated by

Scorpio subsidiary U.S. Silver and Gold Inc.), near Shoshone,

ID, produced about 50 t of silver, down compared with the

66 t produced in 2014. The decrease was due to lower ore 

production and a drop in silver ore grade (Scorpio Mining Corp., 

2015, p. 10).

Consumption

Fabrication demand for silver in the United States was 5,740 t 

in 2014, a slight increase from that of 2013. A large increase in 

silver used in jewelry more than offset decreases in silver used 

in photography and in industrial products (Silver Institute, The,

2015, p. 52, 69).

Coin and Medal Fabrication.—Approximately 1,420 t of 

silver was used for coins and medals in the United States in 
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2014, a 3% increase from 1,370 t in 2013. In fiscal year 2014, 

American Eagle and America the Beautiful silver bullion

coins sales decreased by 13% to an equivalent of 1,212 t 

and generated $865 million in revenue for the U.S. Mint. In

2014, global silver coins and medals fabrication declined by 

8% compared with that in 2013 owing to reduced demand by 

investors in precious metals during a time of declining silver 

prices. By comparison, however, gold coin manufacturing 

declined by 37% (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 23–24)

Industrial Applications.—Silver consumed in domestic 

industrial applications decreased for the fourth consecutive 

year and was at the lowest recorded level since data were first 

collected in 2000. Approximately 3,900 t of silver was used in 

the United States in 2014 for industrial applications, a decrease 

from the 3,960 t of silver that was used in 2013 (Silver Institute,

The, 2015, p. 54).

The principal components of industrial demand for silver 

were brazing alloys and solders, catalysts, electrical, electronics, 

photography, photovoltaics, and other applications. Adding 

silver to solder (used to join metals at less than 600 °C) or 

brazing alloys (used to join metals at more than 600 °C) helps 

produce smooth, leak-tight, and corrosion-resistant joints. Silver 

brazing alloys were used widely in a variety of applications 

including air conditioning and refrigeration and electric power 

distribution. They also were important in the automobile and 

aerospace industries. In 2014, about 182 t of silver was used

domestically in brazing alloys and solders, slightly more than in 

2013 (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 55)

As a catalyst, silver can be used in the form of mesh screens 

or crystals to produce ethylene oxide and formaldehyde, both of 

which are essential ingredients in plastics. Approximately 90% of 

the silver used as an industrial catalyst was for the production of 

ethylene oxide from ethylene (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 60)

In 2014, the domestic use of silver for the electronic and

electrical applications totaled 1,680 t, a slight increase from 

1,660 t in 2013 (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 55). One of

silver’s electrical applications is in batteries. The most common 

silver-oxide battery was the small button-cell battery used in 

calculators, cameras, hearing aids, toys, and watches, and which 

contains about 35% silver by weight. Because of environmental 

and safety concerns, silver-oxide batteries also were beginning 

to replace lithium-ion batteries in mobile phones and laptop 

computers. Silver-zinc batteries feature a water-based chemistry 

and contain no lithium or flammable liquids. Some larger 

silver-oxide and silver-zinc batteries were used in military 

applications. Silver also was used in conductors, contacts, fuses, 

switches, and timers (Silver Institute, The, undated)

Silver membrane switches were used in buttons on electronics, 

such as computer keyboards, microwave ovens, telephones, 

televisions, and toys. Silver-based inks and films were applied to 

composite boards to create electrical pathways in printed circuit 

boards. Silver-based inks also were used in radio frequency 

identification (RFID) tags used in hundreds of millions of 

products to prevent theft and allow easy inventory control. Silver 

paste was used in 90% of all crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, 

the most common type of solar cell; this has been a growth 

market in the United States for the past several years (Silver 

Institute, The, undated)

Silver was one of the essential materials used in the 

manufacture of films and photographic papers. The decline in 

the use of silver for photography began in 2000 in response to 

the growth in digital camera technology and the decline in the 

production of color film and paper. The use of silver in film and 

paper for consumer applications declined more rapidly than 

its use in motion picture film because of the slower adoption 

of digital formats in motion picture production. Other broad 

photographic-use categories for silver-containing film and paper 

included commercial photography, dental and industrial x-ray 

film, graphic arts, and medical x-ray film. In 2014, domestic use 

of silver for photographic application was 476 t, a 4% decrease 

from 498 t in 2013 (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 63–64)

Dental amalgam, although in declining use because of 

its mercury content, still may contain silver (U.S. Food and 

Drug Administration, 2015). Owing to silver’s antibacterial 

properties, silver also was used in such products as clothing, 

laundry machines, shoes, and toothbrushes. Silver embedded in 

locker room surfaces was used to reduce staph infections, and 

silver-based disinfectants have been introduced as a low-cost, 

environmentally sensitive option for use in care centers and 

food-processing facilities (Silver Institute, The, undated)

Jewelry and Silverware.—In 2014, the U.S. consumption

of silver for jewelry was 398 t, a 10% increase compared with 

the 361 t used in 2013, whereas U.S. consumption of silver for 

silverware was unchanged (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 69, 75)

Prices and Stocks

The daily average Engelhard silver price began the year at

$20.11 per troy ounce and declined to $19.07 per troy ounce at 

the end of January before rising to $22.05 per troy ounce in late 

February, the highest level for the year. The price cycled through 

midyear before trending down to $15.35 per troy ounce in early 

November, the lowest level in 2014. The average price for 2014 

of $19.37 per troy ounce was 19% lower than the 2013 average 

of $23.87 per troy ounce and 45% lower than the record-high 

annual price in 2011 of $35.28 per troy ounce (table 1). The 

combination of an economic growth slowdown in China, a 

stronger U.S. dollar, a decrease in silver investment, and a 

decrease in physical demand led to the drop in silver prices 

(Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 8, 12)

Global silver inventories in various Exchange Traded Funds

(ETFs), including iShares Silver Trust, ETF Securities, an

other ETFs, increased slightly to approximately 19,800 t at

yearend 2013 from 19,700 t at yearend 2012 (Silver Institute,

The, 2015, p. 21).

Foreign Trade

U.S. exports of silver bullion and dore decreased by 5% to 

377 t in 2014 from 395 t in 2013. Principal destinations were 

Canada (53%), Mexico (18%), and Australia (15%) (table 4). 

U.S. imports of bullion and dore decreased slightly to 4,960 t 

in 2013 from 5,020 t in 2013. The principal import sources of 

bullion and dore were Mexico (59%), Canada (22%), and the 

Republic of Korea (7%) (table 6)
Silver—2014 [ADVANCE RELEAS

World Review

World mine production of silver increased for the third 

consecutive year to 26,800 t in 2014, which was a 4% increase 

from 25,700 t in 2013. Mexico continued to be the leading 

producer of silver, accounting for 19% of world production. 

Mexico was followed by China (15%); Peru (14%); Australia 

and Chile (6% each); Bolivia, Poland, and Russia (5% each);

the United States (4%); Argentina, Guatemala, and Kazakhstan 

(3% each); and Canada (2%). These 13 countries accounted for 

about 91% of the global silver production.

Silver production increased in 8 of the top 13 producing 

countries in 2013. The most significant increases were by 

producers in Chile, where production increased to 1,574 t in 2014 

from 1,219 t in 2013, and Guatemala, where production increased 

to 858 t in 2014 from 283 t in 2013. Sizable increases in silver 

production also took place in Argentina, Bolivia, the Dominican 

Republic, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Sweden, and the United States.

Significant decreases took place in Australia, Canada, China, 

Congo (Kinshasa), Kazakhstan, and Russia (table 8)

According to The Silver Institute, about 31% of global silver

production was from silver ores, 35% was from lead and zinc 

ores, 20% from copper ores, 13% from gold ores, and less than 

1% was from other types of mining operations (Silver Institute,

The, 2015, p. 34).

Silver scrap recycling declined to 5,240 t in 2014, a 12.5% 

decrease compared with that of 2013, owing primarily to the 

low price of silver. Other contributing factors included stricter 

Government regulation in some countries and less coin and 

jewelry recycling as the economies of industrialized nations 

improved (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 41–44)

Global silver consumption decreased by 4% to 33,200 t in 

2014 from 34,600 t in 2013. Industrial applications, accounting

for 56% of the total global consumption, were the leading end 

uses of silver, followed by jewelry (20%); bars, coins, and 

medals (18%); and silverware (6%). The greatest increases in 

silver use were for photovoltaic applications (7%) and brazing 

alloys and solders (5%). Jewelry and silverware uses increased 

slightly and other markets, including physical investment (bars, 

coins, and medals), electrical and electronics, photography, 

and other industrial applications, decreased. Less investment

in silver coins and bars resulted in a 20% decrease in global 

investment sales to 6,100 t in 2014 from 7,580 t in 2013 (Silver 

Institute, The, 2015, p. 11, 79)

Argentina.—Silver production increased by 7% to 900 t in 

2014 from 844 t in 2013 owing to production increases at most 

of the major silver mines and to the startup of Goldcorp Inc.’s

Cerro Negro Mine, which produced 67 t of silver and accounted 

for about half of the growth. Processing of ore at Cerro Negro 

commenced in July and began ramping up to full capacity of 

4,000 metric tons per day of ore (Goldcorp Inc., 2015, p. 8, 49).

Significant increases in silver production took place at Pan 

American Silver Corp.’s Manantial Espejo Mine and Troy

Resources Ltd.’s Casposo Mine. At Manantial Espejo, an 1

increase in the ore throughput and a 5% increase in the silver ore 

grade resulted in an 18% increase in silver production to 116 t 

from 98 t in 2013 (Pan American Silver Corp., 2015, p. 20). 

Silver production at Casposo increased by 40 t (75%) compared 

with that in 2013, owing to higher silver ore grades, increased 

ore milling capacity and throughput, and an improved silver 

recovery rate (Troy Resources Ltd., 2013, p. 1; 2014a, p. 3, 8

2014b, p. 1; 2015, p. 1). In mid-August, access to the pit at

Glencore plc’s 50%-owned Alumbrera Mine was temporarily 

restricted by a geotechnical event. The amount of ore mined 

consequently declined by 26% relative to that of 2013, and 

silver production decreased by 33% to 24 t from 36 t in 2013 

(Glencore plc, 2015a, p. 54, 197).

Australia.—Production in Australia decreased by 7% 

principally owing to the 15% decrease in production of payable 

metal in concentrate at BHP Billiton Ltd.’s Cannington Mine to

769 t in 2014 from 905 t in 2013. The decrease was the result of 

lower average ore grades but was in accord with plans to cease 

operation at Cannington in 2015 (BHP Billiton Ltd., 2014, p. 14;

2015, p. 6, 14). This was partially offset by increased production 

from MMG Ltd.’s Century Mine, which produced 51 t, up

from 36 t in 2013, owing to higher ore throughput (MMG Ltd.,

2015, p. 46).

Chile.—Silver production increased by 29% to 1,574 t in 

2014 from 1,219 t in 2013. This increase was mostly due to the 

beginning of commercial production at Corporación Nacional 

del Cobre de Chile’s (CODELCO’s) Ministro Hales Mine. Th

mine produced 238 t more silver in 2014 than in 2013. Silver 

production at CODELCO’s Chuquicamata Mine increased b

87% to 187 t of silver from 100 t during 2013 (Corporación 

Nacional del Cobre de Chile, 2013; 2015, p. 99).

Yamana Gold Inc. produced 264 t of silver at the El Peñó

Mine in 2014, 31% more than 2013 production. The increase 

resulted from a 4% increase in the amount of ore processed, a 

12% increase in the silver recovery rate, and a 13% increase 

in the average silver grade (Yamana Gold Inc., 2015, p. 68).

Several other mines in Chile increased production by more 

than 15 t in 2014, including CODELCO’s Salvador Mine

BHP Billiton’s 57.5%-owned Escondida Mine, and Glencore’s

44%-owned Collahuasi Mine (Corporación Nacional del Cobre 

de Chile, 2015, p. 99; Glencore plc, 2015a, p. 2; Rio Tinto plc,

2015, p. 197).

The most significant decrease in production resulted from the 

suspension of mining operations at Kinross Gold Corp.’s La

Coipa Mine in late 2013. It was expected that a pre-feasibility

study to explore a potential restart would be completed by the 

end of 2015 (Kinross Gold Corp., 2015, p. 3, MDA3). La Coipa

had produced 90 t of silver in 2013 (Kinross Gold Corp., 2014, 

p. MDA22).

Canada.—Primary and byproduct silver production decreased 

by 24% in 2014. The closure of Glencore’s Brunswick Mine in 

June 2013 resulted in a significant decrease in byproduct silver 

production in 2014 (Glencore plc, 2015a, p. 54). Agnico Eagle

Mines Ltd. reported a 39% decrease in production to 40 t in

2014 from 65 t in 2013 at its LaRonde Mine owing to lowe

silver ore grades (Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., 2015, p. 31, 76, 80

Congo (Kinshasa).—An 85% decrease in silver production 

was primarily attributable to decreased production at Mawson 

West Ltd.’s Dikulushi copper-silver mine. Following exhaustion

of the open pit mine, the underground mine began operation in 

2013 and silver production decreased to 6 t in 2014 from 60 t in 
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2013 because of lower throughput and the lower silver grades 

in the ore processed from the underground operation (Mawson 

West Ltd., 2015, p. 6)

Dominican Republic.—Goldcorp increased silver production 

at its Pueblo Viejo Mine to 48 t in 2014 from 26 t in 2013 with

higher throughput more than offsetting lower silver ore grades 

(Goldcorp Inc., 2015, p. 47)

Guatemala.—Silver production in Guatemala more than 

tripled in 2014, increasing to 858 t in 2014 from 283 t in 2013, 

primarily because commercial production at Tahoe Resources

Inc.’s Escobal Mine began in January. Production at Escob

increased to 631 t in 2014 from 64 t in 2013 (Tahoe Resources

Inc., 2014; 2015, p. 27). The remainder of the growth in

Guatemala was accounted for by a 4% production increase at 

Goldcorp’s Marlin Mine (Goldcorp Inc., 2015, p. 43)

Kazakhstan.—Glencore reported that production of silver 

at its Kazzinc operation decreased to 133 t from 163 t in 2013 

owing to lower lead and zinc output (Glencore plc, 2015b, p. 3). 

Production at KAZ Minerals plc’s East Region mines i

Kazakhstan decreased to 107 t from 146 t in 2013 owing to 

lower ore grades (KAZ Minerals plc, 2015, p. 39).

Indonesia.—Production in Indonesia declined by 6% owing

primarily to the placement of Straits Resources Ltd.’s Mt. Mur

Mine on care-and-maintenance status in August 2013 (Straits 

Resources Ltd., 2015, p. 9

Mexico.—Fresnillo plc increased its silver production by 5% 

to 1,400 t in 2014 from 1,330 t in 2013. Higher throughput at its 

Saucito Mine resulted in a 33% increase in silver production to 

479 t from 360 t in 2013. Production also increased at Fresnillo’s 

Herradura Mine (21 t in 2014 compared with 9 t in 2013) and 

Noche Buena Mine (3 t in 2014 compared with 2 t in 2013). 

The increases were partially offset by decreased production at 

Fresnillo’s Ciénega Mine (127 t in 2014 compared with 132 t in 

2013) and Fresnillo Mine (625 t in 2014 compared with 708 t in 

2013) (Fresnillo plc, 2015, p. 30, 59–68). First Majestic Silver 

Corp. increased output by 10% to 365 t from 331 t in 2013 owing 

to increased production at the Del Toro Silver Mine and increased 

mill production and capacity at the San Martin Silver Mine (First 

Majestic Silver Corp., 2015, p. 148). Goldcorp produced 803 t 

of silver at its Peñasquito Mine in 2014, a 15% increase from 

698 t in 2013 owing to higher ore grades and an increase in ore 

processed (Goldcorp Inc., 2015, p. 36)

Morocco.—Société Métallurgique d’Imiter, Morocco’s

leading silver producer, reported a 4% decrease in production 

to 186 t in 2014 from 194 t in 2013 owing to lower head grades 

(Groupe Managem, 2015, p. 18).

Peru.—In 2014, silver production increased to 3,778 t,

almost 3% more than 2013 production. Compañía de Minas 

Buenaventura S.A.A. completed an expansion project at its 

Julcani Mine and increased production to 96 t, 14% more than 

produced in 2013 (Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A., 

2015). Increased production at Pan American Silver Corp.’s

Huaron and Morococha Mines and Hochschild Mining Plc’s 

Pallancata Mine more than offset production decreases at 

Volcan Compania Miñera S.A.A.’s Cerro de Pasco Mine, which

suspended mining in the open pit in 2013, and Barrick Gold 

Corp.’s Pierina Mine, which began closing operations in August 

of 2013 (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 27)

Poland.—KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. accounted for most of the 

increased silver production in Poland with an output of 1,256 t of 

silver, an 8% increase from 1,161 t in 2013 owing to increased 

throughput (KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., 2015, p. 126, 129).

Russia.—Silver production in Russia declined by 7% in 2014,

primarily owing to low byproduct recovery at base-metal mining 

operations (Silver Institute, The, 2015, p. 32). Silver production

at Polymetal International plc’s Dukat Hub, Russia’s leadin

producer of silver as a primary product, increased by 8% to a 

record-high 743 t from 687 t in 2013 (Polymetal International

plc, 2015, p. 28, 142).

Sweden.—Boliden AB accounted for nearly all of that 

country’s increase in silver production. Boliden’s production 

increased by 23% to 323 t in 2014 from 262 t in 2013 owing 

primarily to higher mill throughput at its Garpenberg Mine 

(Boliden AB, 2015, p. 1, 36).

Outlook

World production of silver is expected to remain flat in 2015 

because anticipated increases in production from expanding 

base metal producers are expected to be offset by production 

decreases at more mature mines.

The use of silver in photographic applications is expected to 

continue to decrease. As hospitals convert their x-ray equipment 

to digital systems, silver use in photographic applications is 

expected to continue to decline until its use remains only in 

niche applications such as artistic photography.

The use of silver in crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells is 

expected to increase as production increases although, per solar 

cell, silver use is expected to decline owing to the relatively 

high cost of silver. New uses for silver include those that take 

advantage of its biocidal or conductive properties. Antimicrobial 

silver technology is expected to be used in cooking utensils, 

food packaging, medical products, textiles, toiletries, and 

water-purification devices. The use of RFIDs for tracking 

stocks and shipments, including silver-base high-data-capacity 

tags, readers, and computer systems, is expected to increase. 

Although already used in many products, demand for silveroxide batteries may increase with the proliferation of laptop 

and tablet computers and cellular telephones with advanced 

computing capabilities.

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change: London, United Kingdom, KAZ Minerals PLC, February 25, 184 p

(Accessed May 21, 2015, at http://asp-gb.secure-zone.net/v2/index.

jsp?id=624/3348/9925&lng=en.)

KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., 2015, Annual report 2014: Lubin, Poland, 

KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., March 16, 205 p. (Accessed May 18, 2015, at 

http://kghm.com/sites/kghm2014/files/document-attachments/report_s_2014.

pdf.)

Kinross Gold Corp., 2014, 2013 annual report: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 

Kinross Gold Corp., 84 p. (Accessed May 20, 2015, at http://s2.q4cdn.com/

496390694/files/doc_financials/annual/2013/kinross-2013-annual-report.pdf.)

Kinross Gold Corp., 2015, Annual report 2014: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Kinross 

Gold Corp., 77 p. (Accessed May 20, 2015, at http://2014annualreport.kinross.

com/pdf/annual-report-2014.pdf.)

Mawson West Ltd., 2015, Annual report 2014: West Perth, Western Australia,

Australia, Mawson West Ltd., March 26, 97 p. (Accessed May 19, 2015, at

http://www.mawsonwest.com.au/IRM/content/annualreport/2014.pdf

MMG Ltd., 2015, Transforming through growth—Annual report 2014:

Kowloon, Hong Kong, MMG Ltd., March 10, 152 p. (Accessed

May 21, 2015, at http://www.mmg.com/en/Investors-and-Media/Reports-andPresentations/~/media/Files/About us/MMG 2014 Annual Report.ash

Pan American Silver Corp., 2015, Annual report 2014: Vancouver, British

Columbia, Canada, Pan American Silver Corp., 97 p. (Accessed 

May 18, 2015, at http://panamericansilver.com/annualreport2014/wp-content/

uploads/2015/04/PAS_AR2014_PrintFinal.pdf.)

Polymetal International plc, 2015, Sustaining growth and creating value

Annual report 2014: St. Helier, Jersey [United Kingdom], Polymetal 

International plc, March 30, 160 p. (Accessed May 20, 2015, at

http://www.polymetalinternational.com/~/media/Files/P/Polymetal/Annual 

Reports/2014_Polymetal_Annual_Report_eng_2704.pdf.)

Rio Tinto plc, 2015, 2014 annual report: London, United Kingdom, Rio Tin

plc, 228 p. (Accessed May 20, 2015, at http://www.riotinto.com/documents/

RT_Annual_report_2014.pdf.) 

Scorpio Mining Corp., 2015, Annual information form for the financial 

year ending December 31, 2014: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Scorpio 

Mining Corp., March 30, 70 p. (Accessed November 3, 2015, at 

http://www.americassilvercorp.com/i/pdf/fs/AIF_Mar15.pdf.)

Silver Institute, The, 2015, World silver survey 2015: Washington, DC, The

Silver Institute, May, 100 p

Silver Institute, The, [undated], Silver in industry: Washington, DC, The Silver

Institute. (Accessed April 21, 2015, via https://www.silverinstitute.org/site

silver-in-industry.)

Straits Resources Ltd., 2015, 2014 annual report: Brisbane, Queensland, 

Australia, Straits Resources Ltd., June 30, 140 p. (Accessed July 18, 2015

at http://www.straits.com.au/images/files/News/2014/Straits_Annual_

Report_2014.pdf.)

Tahoe Resources Inc., 2014, Tahoe reports 2013 results: Vancouver, Briti

Columbia, Canada, Tahoe Resources Inc. news release, March 13. (Accesse

May 18, 2015, at http://www.tahoeresourcesinc.com/tahoe-reports-2013-

results/.)

Tahoe Resources Inc., 2015, Annual information form for the year ende

December 31, 2014: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Tahoe

Resources Inc., March 11, 48 p. (Accessed May 18, 2015, at http://ww

tahoeresourcesinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-12-31-AnnualInformation-Form.pdf.

Troy Resources Ltd., 2013, Troy Resources half year ended 31 Decemb

2012 financial results: West Perth, Western Australia, Australia, Troy 

Resources Ltd., February 26, 17 p. (Accessed May 18, 2015, at http://ww

troyresources.com.au/images/files/half-yearly/Half Yearly Report for the 

period ended 31 December 2012.pdf.)

Troy Resources Ltd., 2014a, Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2014

West Perth, Western Australia, Australia, Troy Resources Ltd., 125 p

(Accessed May 18, 2015, via http://www.troyres.com.au/investor-centre/

reports/annual.html.)

Troy Resources Ltd., 2014b, Troy Resources Limited results for announcem

to the market for the half-year ended 31 December 2013: West Perth, Western 

Australia, Australia, Troy Resources Ltd., 20 p. (Accessed May 18, 2015, a

http://www.troyresources.com.au/images/files/half-yearly/140224_Half_

Year_Financial_Statements.pdf.)

Troy Resources Ltd., 2015, Troy Resources Limited results for announcement

the market for the half-year ended 31 December 2014: West Perth, Western 

Australia, Australia, Troy Resources Ltd., 22 p. (Accessed May 18, 2015, a

http://www.troyresources.com.au/images/files/half-yearly/150227_Half_

Yearly_Financial_Statements.pdf.)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2015, About dental amalgam fillings: 

Silver Spring, MD, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, February 10. 

(Accessed April 21, 2015, at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/

ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.

htm.)

U.S. Mint, 2015, 2014 annual report: Washington, DC, U.S. Mint, 64 p. 

(Accessed May 14, 2015, at http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/about/annual_

report/2014AnnualReport.pdf.

Yamana Gold Inc., 2015, 2014 annual report: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Yamana

Gold Inc., 212 p. (Accessed May 18, 2015, at http://yamana.com/files/

oar/2014/files/Yamana-Annual-Report.pdf.)

GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

U.S. Geological Survey Publications

1998 Assessment of Undiscovered Deposits of Gold, Silver, 

Copper, Lead, and Zinc in the United States. Circular 1178,

2000.

Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in 

the United States. Data Series 140.

Precious Metals. Mineral Industry Surveys, monthly (through

December 2003).
68.6 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MI

Silver. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual.

Silver. Ch. in United States Mineral Resources, Professional

Paper 820, 1973.

Silver. Mineral Industry Surveys, monthly (since January 2004)

Silver (Ag). Ch. in Metal Prices in the United States Through 

2010, Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5188, 2013.

Other

Silver. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau of 

Mines Bulletin 675, 1985.

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

United States:

Mine production:

Quantity metric tons 1,280 1,120 1,060 1,040 1,180

value thousands $829,000 $1,270,000 $1,060,000 $793,000 $737,000

refinery production:

Domestic and foreign ores and concentrates metric tons 819 790 796 800 800

Scrap (old and new) do. 1,330 1,710 1,660 1,700 1,400

exports:

Ore and concentrate do. 82 172 42 14 6

Bullion and dore do. 627 732 905 395 377

imports for consumption:

Ore and concentrate2 do. 4 84 83 57 r (3)

Bullion and dore do. 5,370 6,320 5,060 5,020 4,960

Stocks, December 31:

industry do. 123 150 109 110 120

COMeX do. 3,260 3,650 4,610 5,350 5,610

U.S. Department of the Treasury do. 498 498 498 498 498

Bullion coin production4 do. 1,100 1,310 1,070 1,100 1,560

Price, average5 dollars per troy ounce 20.04 r 35.28 r 31.22 r 23.87 r 19.37

employment, mine and mill workers6 814 632 709 819 792

World, mine production metric tons 23,300 r 23,200 r 24,400 r 25,800 r 26,800 e

6

employment data are from the U.S. Department of labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, for mines classified as (active and temporarily idle) 

silver mines by the U.S. Geological Survey.

TABle 1

SAlieNT Silver STATiSTiCS1

e

estimated. rrevised. do. Ditto. 1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, except prices.

2

includes silver content of ash and residues.

3

less than 1⁄2 unit.

4

Data from the U.S. Mint.

5

Price data are the annual engelhard quotations published in Platts Metals Week.

State 2012 2013 2014

Nevada 250,000 255,000 326,000

Other2 805,000 782,000 858,000

Total 1,060,000 1,040,000 1,180,000

and Utah.

TABle 2

MiNe PrODUCTiON OF Silver iN THe UNiTeD STATeS, BY STATe1

(Kilograms)

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, idaho, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, 
Silver—2014 [ADVANCE RELEAS

rank Mine County and State2 Operator or owner Source of silver

1 Greens Creek Southeastern region, AK Hecla Mining Co. Zinc-silver ore.

2 red Dog Northern region, AK Teck Alaska inc. Zinc-lead ore.

3 rochester Pershing, Nv Coeur Mining, inc. Silver ore.

4 lucky Friday Shoshone, iD Hecla Mining Co. Do.

5 Bingham Canyon Salt lake, UT Kennecott Utah Copper Corp.3 Copper-molybdenum ore.

6 Hycroft Humboldt and Pershing, Nv Allied Nevada Gold Corp. Gold ore.

7 Galena Complex Shoshone, iD Scorpio Mining Corp. Silver ore.

8 Phoenix lander, Nv Newmont Mining Corp. Gold-copper ore.

9 Midas4 elko and lander, Nv Klondex Mines ltd. Gold ore.

10 Mission Complex Pima, AZ ASArCO llC5 Copper-molybdenum ore.

11 Bagdad Yavapai, AZ Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold inc. Do.

12 Continental Pit Silver Bow, MT Montana resources inc. Do.

13 Smoky valley Common Nye, Nv Kinross Gold Corp. (50%), Barrick Gold Gold ore.

 Operation Corp. (50%)

14 Morenci Greenlee, AZ Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold inc. Copper-molybdenum ore.

15 Mineral Park Mohave, AZ Mercator Minerals ltd. Do.

16 Carlin Mines Operations6 elko, eureka, and Humboldt, Nv Newmont Mining Corp. Gold ore.

17 Wharf lawrence, SD Goldcorp inc. Do.

18 Denton-rawhide Mineral, Nv rawhide Mining, llC Do.

19 ray Pinal, AZ ASArCO llC5 Copper ore.

20 Cripple Creek7 Teller, CO AngloGold Ashanti ltd. Gold ore.

21 Pinto valley Gila, AZ Capstone Mining Corp. Copper ore.

22 Florida Canyon Pershing, Nv Jipangu inc. Gold ore.

23 Chino Grant, NM Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold inc. Copper ore.

24 Golden Sunlight Jefferson, MT Klondex Mines ltd Gold ore.

25 ruby Hill eureka, Nv Barrick Gold Corp. Do.

26 Goldstrike elko and eureka, Nv do. Do.

TABle 3

leADiNG Silver-PrODUCiNG MiNeS iN THe UNiTeD STATeS iN 2014, iN OrDer OF OUTPUT1

Do., do. Ditto.

6

Includes nine open pit operations (Emigrant, Genesis, Gold Quarry, Lantern, Lone Tree, Midas, Pay Raise, Twin Creeks, and Widge Mines) and six 

underground operations (Carlin east, Chukar, exodus, leesville, Pete Bajo, and vista Mines).

7

Formerly listed as Cresson Mine (2000 through 2011); production data were not available for 2012 and 2013.

1

The mines on this list accounted for more than 99% of U.S. mine production in 2014.

2

For Alaska, mines are located by geographic region, as delineated by the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys in its Special report 67, 

Alaska’s mineral industry 2011—exploration activity.

3

Wholly owned subsidiary of rio Tinto plc.

4

Klondex Mines ltd. acquired 100% interest on February 1, 2014, from Newmont Mining Corp. 

5

Wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo México, S.A.B. de C.v.
68.8 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2014 Silver content value Silver content value Silver content value Silver content value Year and country (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) 2013 13,800 $31,300 347,000 $258,000 48,000 $39,400 409,000 $328,000 2014: Albania -- -- -- -- 680 198 680 198 Australia 107 326 55,300 36,100 1,600 1,080 57,000 37,500 Austria -- -- 545 429 143 100 688 529 Bangladesh -- -- 218 148 -- -- 218 148 Belgium -- -- 513 196 180 125 693 321 Canada 2 3 200,000 147,000 -- -- 200,000 147,000 Cayman islands -- -- 184 204 -- -- 184 204 China 4,230 11,300 100 51 523 378 4,850 11,800 Czech republic 32 33 163 100 -- -- 195 133 estonia -- -- 1,370 842 103 76 1,470 918 France -- -- 113 61 -- -- 113 61 Germany 1,090 5,810 1,190 753 1,960 1,310 4,240 7,870 Hong Kong 44 35 1,330 675 9 8 1,380 718 india -- -- 1,180 749 984 721 2,160 1,470 israel -- -- 23 16 301 204 324 220 italy -- -- 3,410 1,740 153 38 3,570 1,770 Korea, republic of 72 182 24 20 -- -- 96 202 lebanon -- -- 470 352 -- -- 470 352 Malaysia -- -- 1,990 1,210 -- -- 1,990 1,210 Mexico -- -- 62,400 51,400 4,500 2,510 66,900 53,900 New Zealand 28 20 385 274 1,320 879 1,730 1,170 Norway -- -- 408 173 4,810 2,810 5,220 2,980 Panama -- -- 391 294 -- -- 391 294 Singapore 61 91 9,820 7,610 4,710 3,030 14,600 10,700 Spain -- -- -- -- 140 87 140 87 Switzerland 16 11 1,090 624 2,870 1,630 3,970 2,260 Taiwan 15 12 619 307 99 42 733 361 United Arab emirates -- -- 198 144 970 599 1,170 743 United Kingdom 28 22 1,550 892 5,290 3,610 6,860 4,520 Other 15 29 345 276 41 27 401 332 Total 5,740 17,900 346,000 253,000 31,400 19,500 383,000 290,000 TABle 4 U.S. eXPOrTS OF reFiNeD

1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

-- Zero.Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Silver ores and concentrates Bullion Dore Total
Silver—2014 [AD

VANE R] 68.9

Gross weight value Gross weight value Gross weight value Gross weight value Gross weight value

Year and country (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands)

2013 120,000 $116,000 660,000 $551,000 39,800 $4,370 741,000 $535,000 19,300,000 $1,570,000

2014:

Australia 23 21 22 23 528 206 4,280 2,830 69 248

Belgium -- -- 3,960 2,970 -- -- 84 76 2,410,000 92,000

Brazil 1 3 2,590 2,590 602 47 970 749 215 5,270

Canada 26,000 18,900 41,400 10,100 24,300 1,900 271,000 211,000 2,770,000 364,000

Chile 1,010 689 4 10 (3) 8 610 305 5 25

China 3,720 2,330 77,600 58,100 170 102 8,070 4,360 49,400 39,100

Colombia 38 81 -- -- -- -- 442 227 1,750 18

Costa rica 2,770 1,770 -- -- 526 155 1,410 898 46 108

Finland -- -- -- -- -- -- 788 394 28 138

France 1,200 923 62,700 41,000 -- -- 3,920 2,720 9 10

Germany 202 1,560 33,900 25,200 (3) 12 4,250 2,800 2,260,000 168,000

Hong Kong 4,090 3,840 40,300 31,100 -- -- 4,690 2,650 3,320 3,170

india 24,300 10,100 506 397 (3) 10 4,690 2,730 2,270 1,320

ireland -- -- 33 26 (3) 8 16,400 9,270 -- --

israel 275 78 56 57 239 16 1,050 668 2 56italy 4,510 1,540 2,820 2,320 204 5 1,320 715 1,480,000 481,000

Japan 328 2,010 48,100 36,500 (3) 5 408 284 3,500,000 151,000

Jordan -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,240 659 -- --

Korea, republic of 3,760 32,900 64,900 46,800 398 102 9,070 6,890 1,380 7,520

luxembourg -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,790 53,700

Malaysia 167 107 3,800 2,990 (3) 48 2,900 1,830 -- --

Mexico 21,100 16,300 16,000 9,720 1,940 561 89,300 47,600 275,000 49,100

Netherlands -- -- 13,900 10,200 -- -- -- -- -- --

Norway -- -- -- -- -- -- 565 256 339,000 8,570

Philippines 38 57 -- -- -- -- 1,800 970 -- --Saudi Arabia 7 4 -- -- 138 7 2,180 1,100 160 71Singapore 98 56 65,400 49,800 820 193 20,500 12,100 130 15South Africa 60 32 -- -- (3) 19 213 117 75,600 1,570

Spain 5 8 25 11 -- -- 7,060 3,530 -- --

Sweden -- -- -- -- 197 46 4,290 2,220 1,990,000 64,000

Switzerland 198 483 60 55 -- -- 1,070 675 11,100 9,580

Taiwan 535 440 225,000 160,000 (3) 9 1,200 684 303 158

Thailand 4,100 2,940 1,320 974 116 22 3,180 1,600 53 45

United Arab emirates 229 92 -- -- -- -- 1,750 848 -- --

United Kingdom 189 1,080 25,400 19,000 255 25 11,200 6,450 500,000 72,000

venezuela -- -- 29 53 (3) 3 1,430 717 -- --

Other 2,740 1,530 1,190 852 2,550 258 5,240 2,880 2,690 1,910

Total 102,000 99,900 731,000 511,000 33,000 3,770 489,000 334,000 15,700,000 1,570,000

TABle 5

U.S. eXPOrTS OF Silver, BY COUNTrY1

See footnotes at end of table.

Other unwrought silver Metal powder Silver nitrate Semimanufactured forms2 Waste and scrap
68.10 [AD

VANE R] U.S. GOLOICL SURVNELS ARBOOK—201

TABle 5—Continued

U.S. eXPOrTS OF Silver, BY COUNTrY1

-- Zero.

1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.2Containing 99.5% or more by weight of silver.3less than 1⁄2 unit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Silver—2014 [AD

VANE R] 68.11

Silver Silver Silver Silver

content value content value content value content value

Year and country (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands)

2013 56,600 r $22,700 r 3,830,000 $3,020,000 1,190,000 $1,390,000 5,080,000 r $4,430,000 r

2014:

Argentina -- -- 17,500 18,100 34,200 38,500 51,700 56,600

Australia -- -- 191 162 -- -- 191 162

Belgium -- -- 1,550 1,000 -- -- 1,550 1,000

Bolivia -- -- 7,190 3,790 113,000 74,000 120,000 77,800

Canada -- -- 1,120,000 700,000 32 20 1,120,000 700,000Chile -- -- 119 78 -- -- 119 78

Colombia -- -- -- -- 2,880 1,780 2,880 1,780

Dominican republic -- -- 194 278 193 125 387 403

ecuador -- -- -- -- 188 128 188 128

Germany -- -- 2,590 1,850 -- -- 2,590 1,850

Guatemala -- -- -- -- 6,620 8,420 6,620 8,420

Honduras -- -- -- -- 190 127 190 127

italy -- -- -- -- 5,760 4,150 5,760 4,150

Korea, republic of -- -- 333,000 207,000 -- -- 333,000 207,000

Mexico -- -- 2,140,000 1,320,000 781,000 750,000 2,920,000 2,070,000

Nicaragua -- -- -- -- 3,220 2,000 3,220 2,000

Panama -- -- 440 261 321 204 761 465

Peru -- -- 77,800 49,000 118,000 78,600 196,000 128,000

Poland -- -- 77,000 42,200 -- -- 77,000 42,200

russia -- -- 360 199 -- -- 360 199

Singapore -- -- -- -- 286 179 286 179

South Africa -- -- 272 185 -- -- 272 185

Taiwan -- -- 82,400 54,800 -- -- 82,400 54,800

United Kingdom -- -- 41,000 22,400 96 89 41,100 22,400

Other 59 12 255 174 48 30 362 216

Total 59 12 3,900,000 2,420,000 1,070,000 958,000 4,960,000 3,380,000

1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

TABle 6

U.S. iMPOrTS FOr CONSUMPTiON OF reFiNeD Silver, BY COUNTrY1

rrevised. -- Zero.

Ash and residues,

silver ores and concentrates Bullion Dore Total
68.12 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2014 Gross weight value Gross weight value Gross weight value Gross weight value Gross weight value Year and country (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) (kilograms) (thousands) 2013 194,000 $159,000 742,000 $385,000 1,860 $537 1,300,000 $986,000 8,480,000 $443,000 2014: Australia -- -- -- -- -- -- 20,000 12,900 -- -- Brazil -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,650,000 8,930 Belgium -- -- -- -- 542 25 -- -- 723,000 8,010 Canada 140,000 63,200 66,300 4,280 189 75 409,000 265,000 1,360,000 80,000 China 56 49 60,200 2,640 -- -- 19 14 836,000 11,000 Colombia 70 43 -- -- -- -- 4,610 2,910 5,390 1,070 France -- -- 14,900 2,760 -- -- -- -- 29,500 735 Germany 61 49 2,700 1,310 763 62 8,600 4,450 20,900 66,600 Hungary -- -- 18,600 1,050 -- -- -- -- -- -- india 150 63 60 42 (3) 4 642 171 117 236 italy 3,100 2,050 -- -- -- -- 243 127 130 3,650 Japan -- -- 620,000 307,000 -- -- 1,290 728 18,900 227 Korea, republic of 67 9 399 330 -- -- 1 8 -- -- Malaysia -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 131,000 1,660 Mexico 95,800 57,700 -- -- (3) 4 218,000 71,500 634,000 15,400 Netherlands 5,510 388 -- -- -- -- -- -- 36,800 858 Peru -- -- -- -- -- -- 211,000 137,000 -- -- romania -- -- 6,060 279 -- -- -- -- -- -- Singapore -- -- 6,730 2,300 -- -- -- -- 76,200 15,800 Sweden -- -- 725 287 -- -- -- -- 76,900 1,200 Switzerland 84 91 915 36 -- -- 860 615 -- -- Taiwan -- -- 132 38 -- -- 18,500 12,900 18,900 3,110 United Kingdom 1,400 959 1,390 651 814 361 687 510 444,000 33,600 Other 115 77 93 59 25 13 785 430 246,000 26,700 Total 246,000 125,000 799,000 323,000 2,330 544 895,000 509,000 6,310,000 279,000 TABle 7 U.S. iMPOrTS FOr CONSUMPTiON OF Silver, 

1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.2Containing 99.5% or more by weight of silver.3less than 1⁄2 unit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Other unwrought silver Metal powder Semimanufactured forms2 Silver nitrate Waste and scrap
Silver—2014 [ADVANCE RELEASE

Country3 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014e

Algeria (4) (4) (4) (4) (4)

Argentina 723 747 799 844 r 900

Armenia 68 25 22 19 r 20

Australia 1,879 r 1,725 1,727 r 1,840 1,720

Azerbaijan 2 1 1 2 r 2

Bolivia 1,259 1,214 1,206 1,287 1,344 5

Botswana -- -- 9 23 30

Brazil 69 r 72 r 72 r 73 r, p 72

Bulgaria 28 r 32 r 47 r 56 r 55

Burkina Faso -- -- -- 15 15

Canada, metal content of concentrate produced 591 661 685 r 646 r 493 5

Chile 1,287 1,291 1,195 1,219 r 1,574 5

Chinae 3,500 3,700 3,900 4,100 4,060 5

Colombia 15 24 19 14 12

Congo (Kinshasa) 6 10 12 60 9

Côte d’ivoire (4) (4) 1 r 1 r 1

Dominican republic 23 r 18 27 78 100

ecuador 1 1 1 r 2 r 2

eritrea -- 4 30 16 16

ethiopiae 2 2 2 1 r, 5 1

Fiji, mine output, Ag content (4) (4) (4) (4) (4)

Finland 65 11 r 10 r 14 r 13 5

Georgia 1 2 1 1 1

Ghanae 3 5 3 5 3 3 3

Greece 29 e 33 r 40 r 39 r 39

Guatemala 195 273 205 283 r 858 5

Honduras 58 53 51 51 r 55

india 146 r 192 r 332 r 356 r 303 5

indonesia 335 r 227 r 248 r 255 r, e 239 5

ireland 4 6 r 9 r 8 r 8

Japan 5 4 r 4 r 4 r 4

Kazakhstan 552 651 963 964 r 920

Korea, Northe 25 r 28 r 28 r 28 r 28

Korea, republic of 2 3 3 4 r 4

laos 16 17 19 30 r 30

Malaysia (4) (4) 2 (4) r, e (4)

Mexico 3,499 r 4,150 r 4,496 r 4,861 5,000

Mongolia 29 28 31 r 50 r, e 65

Morocco 243 186 173 r 289 r 280

Namibia, metal content of concentratese 18 r 24 r 22 r 21 r 20

New Zealand 17 14 6 11 r 11

Nicaragua 7 8 10 14 r 15

Niger (4) (4) (4) (4) e (4)

Oman (4) -- r -- -- --

Pakistane 3 3 3 3 3

Panama 1 2 2 2 e --

Papua New Guinea 74 91 r 81 r 90 r 87

Peru 3,640 3,419 3,481 r 3,674 3,778 5

Philippines 41 46 49 r 40 r 23 5

Poland 1,181 1,167 1,149 1,199 1,263 5

Portugal 24 28 27 37 45

romania -- r -- -- -- --

russia 1,545 1,200 r 1,400 r 1,428 r 1,334 5

Saudi Arabiae 8 5 8 5 4 2 2

Serbia 5 5 5 r 6 6

Slovakia (4) (4) (4) 1 1

See footnotes at end of table.

TABle 8

Silver: WOrlD MiNe PrODUCTiON, BY COUNTrY1, 2

(Metric tons)
68.14 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MI

Country3 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014e

Solomon islands -- 1 r 1 r 1 r 1

South Africa 79 73 67 69 69

Spain (4) r 9 r 9 r 6 r, e 6

Sudan, mine output, Ag contente 1 5 1 1 1 1

Sweden 302 238 r 309 r 341 r 383 4

Switzerland, refined 1 r 2 2 2 3

Tajikistan 3 2 2 3 r 3

Tanzania 12 10 11 11 11

Thailand 17 19 31 31 32 p, 5

Turkey 364 247 194 r 190 r 184 5

United Kingdom (4) 1 (4) (4) (4)

United States 1,280 1,120 1,060 1,040 1,180 5

Uzbekistan 59 60 60 64 e 64

Zambiae 10 10 10 10 10

Zimbabwee (4) 1 1 1 1

Total 23,300 r 23,200 r 24,400 r 25,800 r 26,800

TABle 8—Continued

Silver: WOrlD MiNe PrODUCTiON, BY COUNTrY1, 2

(Metric tons)

1

World totals, U.S. data, and estimated data have been rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2

recoverable content of ores and concentrates produced unless otherwise specified. includes data available through April 4, 2016.

3

in addition to the countries listed, iran and Kyrgyzstan produced silver, but available information is inadequate to make reliable estimates

of output levels.

4

less than 1⁄2 unit.

5

reported figure.

e

estimated. pPreliminary. rrevised. -- Zero.