Silver - Production, Reserves & Supply Concentration
A precious metal used in electronics, solar cells, industrial applications and jewellery.The tables cover silver mine production and reserves. Recycled silver provides an additional source of supply.
Silver Global Production & Country Share
Measure: Mine production (metric tons)
Silver Production by Country (2020-2025)
Mine production · Unit: metric tons
| Rank | Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e | Share | 5Y Chg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mexico | 5,540 | 6,110 | 6,195 | 6,400 | 5,780 | 6,300 | 24.2% | +13.7% |
| #2 | Peru | 2,770 | 3,310 | 3,079 | 3,100 | 3,510 | 3,600 | 13.8% | +30.0% |
| #3 | China | 3,380 | 3,500 | 3,480 | 3,400 | 3,430 | 3,400 | 13.1% | +0.6% |
| #4 | Bolivia | 930 | 1,290 | 1,214 | 1,200 | 1,490 | 1,500 | 5.8% | +61.3% |
| #5 | Chile | 1,580 | 1,280 | 1,274 | 1,400 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 5.4% | -11.4% |
| #6 | Poland | 1,250 | 1,300 | 1,316 | 1,300 | 1,320 | 1,300 | 5.0% | +4.0% |
| #7 | Russia | 1,320 | 1,320 | 1,280 | 1,200 | 1,280 | 1,200 | 4.6% | -9.1% |
| #8 | United States | 1,030 | 1,020 | 1,010 | 1,000 | 1,050 | 1,100 | 4.2% | +6.8% |
| #9 | Australia | 1,340 | 1,360 | 1,167 | 1,200 | 1,050 | 1,000 | 3.8% | -25.4% |
| #10 | Argentina | 710 | 720 | 913 | 910 | 774 | 800 | 3.1% | +12.7% |
| #10 | India | - | 610 | 694 | 690 | 700 | 800 | 3.1% | - |
| #12 | Kazakhstan | 435 | 450 | 1,053 | 990 | 850 | 630 | 2.4% | +44.8% |
| #13 | Canada | - | - | - | - | 366 | 400 | 1.5% | - |
| #13 | Sweden | - | - | - | - | 432 | 400 | 1.5% | - |
| - | World Total | 23,500 | 25,000 | 25,600 | 26,000 | 25,300 | 26,000 | 100.0% | +10.6% |
Silver Proven Reserves by Country (2025)
Basis: Reserves · Unit: metric tons · Global Implied Reserve Life: 23.5 years
| Rank | Country | Reserves (metric tons) | World Share | USGS Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Peru | 110,000 | 18.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #2 | Russia | 92,000 | 15.1% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #3 | Australia | 91,000 | 14.9% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. - For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equivalent reserves were 22,000 tons. |
| #4 | China | 67,000 | 11.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #5 | Poland | 59,000 | 9.7% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #6 | Mexico | 37,000 | 6.1% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #7 | Chile | 33,000 | 5.4% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #8 | United States | 23,000 | 3.8% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #9 | Bolivia | 22,000 | 3.6% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #10 | India | 8,000 | 1.3% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #11 | Argentina | 6,500 | 1.1% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #12 | Canada | 4,900 | 0.8% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| - | World Total Reserves | 610,000 | 100.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
U.S. Supply, Consumption & Net Import Reliance (2021-2025)
| Salient Measure | Unit | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver: Production: Mine | metric tons | 1,020 | 1,010 | 1,020 | 1,050 | 1,100 |
| Silver: Production: Refinery: Primary | metric tons | 1,920 | 1,850 | 1,150 | 1,140 | 1,100 |
| Silver: Production: Refinery: Secondary (new and old scrap) | metric tons | 908 | 1,090 | 1,150 | 955 | 1,000 |
| Silver: Imports for consumption | metric tons | 6,160 | 4,490 | 4,950 | 4,430 | 7,600 |
| Silver: Exports | metric tons | 137 | 276 | 73 | 113 | 300 |
| Silver: Consumption, apparent | metric tons | 7,950 | 6,310 | 7,070 | 6,320 | 9,400 |
| Silver: Employment, mine and mill, number | number | 1,265 | 1,304 | 1,422 | 1,485 | 1,300 |
| Silver: U.S. Net Import Reliance | % of consumption | 76% | 67% | 69% | 68% | 77% |
Frequently Asked Questions - Silver
Which country leads silver production (mine production)?
Mexico leads the 2025 USGS country table for mine production, with 6,300 metric tons (estimated) (24.2% of the reported world total). World output was 26,000 metric tons in 2025.
Which country holds the largest reported silver reserves?
Peru ranks first in the USGS reserve table, with 110,000 metric tons (Reserves) (18.0% of the reported world total) against a reported world total of 610,000 metric tons.
What is US net import reliance and import sourcing for silver?
In 2025, US net import reliance was reported at 77% (Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption). Across 2021-24, leading US import sources (All) were Mexico (47%), Canada (18%), Chile (5%).
How is silver classified on the US Critical Minerals List and what are its primary uses?
Status: Listed on 2025 US List (Added in 2025 Final List). Primary applications cited in USGS summaries include: Photovoltaic solar cell conductive pastes, electrical contacts and switches, brazing alloys, catalysts, and investment bullion. Only a fraction of global silver comes from primary silver mines; the majority is extracted as a co-product or byproduct of lead-zinc, copper, and gold mining. USGS country tables measure contained silver in mine output and reserves.