SILVER-Annual Review 1994

摘要

Domestic silver mine production declined for the fourth consecutive year, owing primarily to a decline in by-product silver production. About 120 mines in 20 States produced silver during the year. Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho were the largest silver-producing States, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the production. The largest 13 mines each produced more than 30 tons of silver and accounted for more than 77 percent of the total domestic production. The value of domestic production was 252 million dollars. Commercial-grade silver is material that is at least 99.9 percent pure silver. In the United States, about 20 companies produced commercial-grade silver from either primary or recycled material. Although most of these companies were headquartered in the Northeast, many had collection sites or plants in locations throughout the country. Aiding the recycling of silver were many other companies. These companies, located throughout the country, collected the material for recycling, and some produced a semi-refined product that could be converted to commercial-grade silver.