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MINERAL COMMODITY PROFILES

Silver

By W.C. Butterman and H.E. Hilliard

Any use of trade, ﬁrm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does notimply endorsement by the U.S. Government

Open-File Report 2004-1251

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2005

For product and ordering information:World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTelephone: 1-888-ASK-USGSFor more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth,its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment:World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.govTelephone: 1-888-ASK-USGSAlthough this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individualcopyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.

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Contents

Overview.......................................................................................................................................................................5Historical background....................................................................................................................................................5 Nonmonetary uses................................................................................................................................................6Silver as a monetary metal...................................................................................................................................6Mine production...................................................................................................................................................7Description ....................................................................................................................................................................8Salient facts..........................................................................................................................................................8Principal forms.....................................................................................................................................................9Metal, alloys, and composites.....................................................................................................................9Compounds...............................................................................................................................................10Commercial grades, forms, and specifications...................................................................................................10Sources ........................................................................................................................................................................11Mineralogy.........................................................................................................................................................12Deposits..............................................................................................................................................................12Reserves, reserve base, and resources................................................................................................................13Secondary...........................................................................................................................................................13Production technologies ..............................................................................................................................................13Ore processing....................................................................................................................................................14Metal extraction........................................................................................................................................14Refining....................................................................................................................................................15Recycling ...........................................................................................................................................................15Photographic materials.......................................................................................................................................15Catalysts...............................................................................................................................................................6Electrical and electronics scrap..........................................................................................................................16Uses.............................................................................................................................................................................16Properties that determine use.............................................................................................................................20Photographic materials.......................................................................................................................................20Basic silver-based photography................................................................................................................21Jewelry and silverware.......................................................................................................................................23Jewelry and arts........................................................................................................................................23Sterlingware..............................................................................................................................................24Electroplated ware....................................................................................................................................24Coins and medals...............................................................................................................................................25Coinage.....................................................................................................................................................25Coins, medallions, and commemoratives.................................................................................................25Industrial uses ....................................................................................................................................................25Bearings....................................................................................................................................................25Brazes and solders....................................................................................................................................26Catalysts ...................................................................................................................................................27Dental and medical uses...........................................................................................................................27Electrical and electronic uses....................................................................................................................28Mirrors......................................................................................................................................................31Other uses.................................................................................................................................................31Use as an investment good.................................................................................................................................32