Investment silver bullion

Where silver is actually mined or the top 10 silver producers

1. Mexico
   Mine production: 5,400 metric tons
   Mexico remained the world's top silver producer in 2015. Its production increased by 400 metric tons (MT) and totaled 5,400 MT. Mexico is home to the world's largest silver mine, Fresnillo, located in the state of Zacatecas, which has been in production since 1824 and is one of the world's most productive silver mines. In April 2016, the company released its production report for the three months to March 31, 2016 and announced that it is on track to maintain its leading position for the full year 2016. It plans to maintain production at 49 to 51 million ounces of silver. The goal is to reach production of up to 65 million ounces per year by 2018. Production at another mine, Penasquito, is estimated at 22 to 24 million ounces in 2016.
2. China, Mine production: 4,100 metric tons
   As early as 2002, China was the world's fourth largest silver producer. Since then, the country's production has been steadily increasing, rising to second place last year, just behind Mexico. This increase is due to the development of additional mining activity, which began to increase in 2012, according to the institute. Nearly 95 percent of China's silver production was a byproduct of other mining projects.
3. Peru
   Mine production: 3,800 metric tons
   In addition to being the third largest silver producer in 2015, Peru also has the largest known silver reserves. At 120,000 MT, it has a huge amount of untapped potential, which could propel the country to the top of the rankings in the future. Most of Peru's silver comes from the Antamina mine, located in the north of the country. This mine, which produces more silver than any other in the country, primarily mines copper and silver is a by-product of mining.
4. Australia
   Mine production: 1 700 metric tonnes
   The difference between Peru and Australia's production is quite large, at 2,100 MT. In 2015, production was 1,700 MT. Silver mining has a rich history in Australia. The world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton, has been in operation since 1920. Today, it is a multinational mining company with projects located around the world. It is Australia's largest silver producer and operates one of the world's largest mines, Cannington in Queensland, which produces more silver than any other mine in the country.
5. Chile
   Mine production: 1,600 metric tonnes
   Chile's mines churned out around 1,600 MT of silver in 2015. This was an increase of about 300 MT from 2014. This shift secured Chile's fifth place, having previously been in seventh place. Increases in production could continue to occur in the future. Last year, the Economic Development Organization (EDO), which focuses on regional economic development, announced a new program aimed at increasing the country's production. This would involve improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.
6. Russia
   Mining production: 1,500 metric tons
   In 2014, Russia was ranked fifth, but last year it dropped to sixth place as its production fell from 1,700 MT to 1,500 MT. Silver reserves are unknown, but the country has remained in the top 10 countries in the world for many years. The country's largest producer is the mining company Polymetal, which operates four of the five largest silver mines in Russia. It produced 7.2 million ounces of silver last year.
7. Bolivia
   Mine production: 1 300 metric tonnes
   Production in this South American country remained stable between 2014 and 2015 at 1,300 MT. However, Chile's jump to fifth pushed Bolivia from sixth to seventh. There is also room for expansion in this country. There are several silver mines, particularly in the Potosi region, which is also home to the largest mine, San Cristobal.
8. Poland
   Mine production: 1,300 metric tons
   Our northern neighbours are also among the top ten silver producers. Poland ranks eighth, with production of around 1 300 MT. KGHM Polska Miedź (Kombinat Górniczo-Hutniczy Miedzi) is a Polish mining and metallurgical company, mainly focused on the extraction and processing of silver and copper. The company is consistently one of the world's most important silver producers.
9. USA
   Mine production: 1,100 metric tons
   The United States produced 1,100 metric tons of silver, with production seeing a slight decrease from 2014. Alaska and Nevada produced more silver than the other states in the union. The largest producer is Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation. Coeur maintains projects in the U.S. along with other silver mines in South America and Australia. At the end of April this year, the company released its quarterly report, announcing silver production of 3.4 million ounces.
10. Canada
    Mine production: 500 metric tons
    While Canada is the home base for Silver Corp and several others involved in silver mining, the country itself doesn't produce that much. This is because Canadian companies tend to maintain projects and mining operations in other countries around the world. Even so, production rose slightly from 493 MT in 2014 to 500 MT in 2015.