Silver Mining & Refining: The Whole System

What this topic covers

How geology, mine planning, ore handling, concentration, extraction, smelting, refining and material accounting connect.

Core mine-to-refinery ideas

Silver can occur in deposits mined primarily for silver and in polymetallic ores where lead, zinc, copper or gold are also important.

The appropriate processing route depends on mineralogy, grade, associated metals and the form in which silver occurs.

A complete mine-to-refinery view includes ore, concentrate, residues, water, energy, tailings, recovered metals and final refined products.

Important tradeoffs

Mineralogy and associated metals determine which treatment route is appropriate.

Measurement and accounting

Contained metal, recovered metal and refined product are different accounting quantities.

Lifecycle perspective

This site ends at refined silver; downstream industrial applications are covered by the companion silver-use site.