Silver is considered a valuable precious metal. Due to its malleability and ductility, silver has been used to make items ranging from ornaments, jewellery, tableware to currency coins. Silver mining commonly involves deposits of copper, lead, zinc ore, and gold. Silver is also found in 60 minerals such as argentite (a sulfide), cerargyrite (a chloride) as well as other sulfides and tellurides.

Pure silver has whitest colour, highest optical reflectivity, thermal and electrical conductivity properties. As a consequence, silver is used in many industrial applications such as mirrors, electrical / electronic products and photography. In addition, dilute solutions of silver nitrate as well as other silver compounds are used as disinfectants and in the catalysis of chemical reactions. Silver has also been used for trading purposes, including the basis for currency coins in many monetary systems, but this silver application has declined.

Great Western Mining Corporation: 'Best' Silver Mine Resource Stock On PLUS Market

Great Western Mining Corporation, the PLUS market quoted silver mining company, was awarded on 29 April 2008 the 'best' PLUS resource stock award. The competition from the mining industry involved many silver mine companies listed on the stock market.

After October 2006, upon joining the London England based PLUS market, Great Western Mining Corporation has been building its mineral resource assets; the stock market valuation of the silver mine company exceeds Stg(£) 8 million. The PLUS silver mining and exploration stock award shows continued investments and expansion of the company's North American silver mine, gold and uranium mineral resources.

Emmett O'Connell, Great Western's chairman, commenting on the PLUS market mineral resource stock award, said Great Western Mining company was thrilled to win the prestigious stock market award, and it would continue to develop silver mine properties under its control in North America and internationally. More on Great Western Mining Corporation silver share prices as well as related silver stock market buying and investment information on the PLUS market.

Silver Mining Worldwide

Silver mining and production has increased significantly in all countries due to rising prices over the past two years. Increased silver output is also the result of increased gold mining activity where silver is recovered as a by-product from gold mines. Silver prices have risen substantially of late, an increase of 14.4% in US dollar terms during 2007; its rally continues.

Silver mining in Latin America and Mexico is undergoing a mini-boom with some countries experiencing highest silver production levels in ten years. Global silver mine production edged up fractionally in 2006, with notable gains in Latin America and Asia. Total silver mining production reached 646.1 million ounces last year, with Peru, Mexico, China, Australia and Chile the top five silver mining countries.

Silver Exploration & Mining United States Of America

Silver exploration and mining was a major factor in the settlement of western United States of America. Notable silver mining rushes were in Nevada, California, Colorado, Cobalt, and Ontario. Nevada silver ore was mostly found in supergene enrichments. These heavy grey crusts were often polished by dust and wind to a dull shine making them readily discoverable.

Silver Mines Nevada: Silver Mining & Exploration USA

Nevada is called "The Silver State" and "The Mining State" because of its rich silver resources. Silver mining in Nevada, started with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1858, the richest known silver deposit in USA. In 2006, Nevada was America's second largest producer of silver, after Alaska, and its mines also produced large quantities of gold, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, barite, and tungsten.

Comstock Lode was the first major silver ore deposit to be found in North America, and one of the largest silver lodes in the world. Its discovery resulted in increased silver exploration across the Great Basin area of America. This silver rush led to many other silver discoveries within Nevada, including Austin in 1862, Eureka in 1864, and Pioche in 1869. The Comstock Lode silver mine has also been an important gold placer district since 1869. Mining for silver, gold, copper and other minerals, as well as precious stones, still continues in the area.

Mining Silver Nevada: Silver Exploration USA

According to published statistics, from the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada’s silver production in 2005 was 9.946 million ounces. Most of this production came from mining silver in the Carlin Trend, classed as America’s most productive gold producing area. During 2005, Nevada’s silver mine productions were worth in the region of US$103 million.

A second trend, called the Cortez Trend, has been developed; this runs parallel to the Carlin Trend and is located 50 miles to the south west of it. Running in parallel with the Carlin and Cortez Trends is the older, established Tonopah Trend which had many of the great 19th century Nevada silver mines. The last great silver mining district to be developed in Nevada was Tonopah starting 1900. Through 1921, the district mineral resource exploration and production amounted to 138 million ounces of silver and 1.5 million ounces of gold.