Silver
Domestic production and use
In 2004, U.S. mine manufacture of silver was about 1,200 tons, with an predictable value of $184 million. Alaska replace Nevada as the leading U.S. silver producer. Precious-metal ores accounted for less than one-half of domestic silver production; the remainder was improved as a byproduct from the processing of copper, lead, and zinc ores. There were 21 principal refiners of commercial-grade silver, with an estimated total output of 3,100 tons. About 30 fabricators accounted for more than 90% of the silver used in arts and industry.
Recycling
About 1,700 tons of silver was recovered from old and new scrap in 2004.
Substitutes
Aluminum and rhodium can be substitute for silver in mirrors and other reflecting surfaces. Tantalum can be used in place of silver for surgical plates, pins, and sutures. Stainless steel is an interchange material used widely in the manufacture of table flatware. Nonsilver batteries being residential may replace silver batteries in some applications.
World Resources
More than two-thirds of U.S. and world resources of silver are linked with copper, lead, and zinc deposits, often at great depths. The remaining assets are in vein deposits in which gold is the most valuable metallic component. Although most recent discoveries have been primarily gold deposits, significant future reserves and resources are predictable from major base-metal discoveries that contain silver. While the price of silver and improved technology may appear to increase the reserves and reserve base, the extraction of silver from these resources will be driven by demand for the base metals.
