Challenges

Silver mining is widespread among countries around the world.

Many of the new silver deposits have more complex mineralogy than the previous ones. They are often more refractory in nature, and need different and more sophisticated extraction methods.

To operate successfully and profitably, silver companies need to better understand the product's mineralogy. They need to consider the benefits of modern extraction methods and invest in mining infrastructure that is more cost-effective.

Complicating the methodology is a shift in where the product is now sourced. Once, it came from high-grade, underground deposits. Now it's largely throughput, open-pit, polymetallic deposits. Silver is often found with copper, gold, lead, and zinc. In many cases, there are mixtures of oxides and sulfide ores that require different treatment methods to separate them.

Because silver does not leach in cyanide without special pretreatment, many deposits now are either wholly or partly refractory. Improved methods for doing this have been developing at exponential rates since the 1980s. Pressure oxidation, bio-oxidation and various forms of roasting—of both run-of-mine ore and flotation concentrates—are now common refractory processes.