Canada and the USA are the main silver producers in the Western hemisphere. The metal is either recovered from the ore, or during the electrolytic refining of copper.
Silver is used in dental alloys, solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts and batteries.
Silver paints are used for making printed circuits. The metal is used to make mirrors, as it is the best reflector of visible light known, although it does tarnish with time. Biological Role Silver has no known biological role, although it is a suspected carcinogen. Silver compounds can be absorbed in the circulatory system and reduced silver deposited in various organs. This results in greyish pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes, known as argyria.