Silver
Silver, like gold and platinum, belongs to the noble metals family. These are chemically stable, meaning they resist corrosion and oxidation even under extreme conditions.
Key Physical and Chemical Properties:
| Property | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Doesn’t rust or degrade easily—ideal for long-term applications |
| Malleability & Lustre | Can be shaped easily; shines brightly—used in jewellery |
| Best Conductor | Has highest electrical and thermal conductivity among all metals—this makes it indispensable in high-precision electronics |
💡 UPSC Tip: When writing answers, link these physical properties directly to its economic uses.
Ore Minerals of Silver
The most important silver-bearing minerals are:
- Stephanite
- Pyrargyrite
- Proustite
These are sulfide-based minerals and often occur in association with lead, zinc, and gold ores—making silver extraction a multi-metal process in many cases.
Formation of Silver Deposits: Geological Processes
Just like gold, silver forms in different geological environments, but the processes differ slightly in texture and depth:
i. Primary Silver Deposits (Hydrothermal Veins):
- Hot, mineral-rich fluids seep through rock fractures and cool, depositing silver along with other metals.
- Classic Examples:
- Comstock Lode, Nevada (USA)
- Guanajuato District, Mexico
ii. Skarn Deposits:
- Form at contact zones between limestone and intrusive igneous rocks.
- These involve metamorphic transformations, making them mineral-rich.
- Example: Daye Mine (China), Cananea Mine (Mexico)
🔍 Analogy: Imagine magma as a chef infusing flavours (minerals) into the rock “ingredients”—that’s how skarn deposits evolve.
iii. Secondary Silver Deposits:
- Formed by weathering and erosion of primary sources. Silver is transported and re-deposited in sedimentary basins.
Applications of Silver: Economic Uses
Silver is one of the most versatile metals—its usage spans across traditional, industrial, and modern tech domains.
| Application Area | Use |
|---|---|
| Jewellery | Sterling silver (92.5%)—used for ornaments, decorative objects |
| Mirrors | Best reflector of light, despite tarnishing (used in high-precision mirrors) |
| Electronics & Batteries | Key component in electrical contacts, printed circuits, batteries |
| Dentistry & Alloys | Used in dental alloys, solders, and brazing compounds |
| Photography | Historically important for film development (silver halides) |
| Smart Glass | Used in photochromic lenses—darken in sunlight |
| Textiles | Silver nanoparticles prevent bacterial growth in clothes |
🧪 Emerging Area: Silver nanotechnology is a growing field—used in drug delivery, biosensors, and antimicrobial coatings.
Silver in India: Reserves, Production & Industry
Reserves:
- India has no large native silver deposits.
- Only one minor deposit: Bharak, Rajasthan
- Silver is mainly obtained as a by-product from:
- Zinc, lead, copper, and gold refining units.
Key Sources in India:
| Source | Type |
|---|---|
| Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) | Zinc smelting by-product |
| Hutti Gold Mines (Karnataka) | Gold refining by-product |
| Tundoo Smelter (Jharkhand) | Lead-zinc operations |
| Hindustan Copper Ltd., Singhbhum (Jharkhand) | Copper smelting |
Reserve Estimates (as of 2020):
- Total resources: ~568.64 million tonnes (silver ore)
- Total reserves: 170.44 million tonnes
- State-wise share:
- Rajasthan: 86%
- Jharkhand: 4%
- Andhra Pradesh: 3%
- Karnataka: 4%
Production Data (2022–23):
- Total output: 713,768 kg
- Leading producer: Rajasthan ~ 99.9%, rest in Karnatka
Global Silver Trade: Imports into India (2022-23)
India is a major importer of silver to meet its industrial and consumer demands.
| Country | Share of India’s Silver Imports (2022-23) |
| UK | 50% |
| Hong Kong | 21% |
| China | 12% |
| Total Import | 8156 tonnes |
Key Insight: the UK alone accounted for half of India’s silver imports, highlighting a highly concentrated trade dependency for this critical industrial and precious metal.
World’s Silver Reserves & Production (2024)
| Country | Silver Reserves (in thousand tons) | Production (thousand tons) |
| Peru | 140 | 3.1 |
| Australia | 94 | 1.0 |
| Russia | 92 | 1.2 |
| China | 70 | 3.3 |
| Poland | 61 | 1.3 |
| Mexico | 37 | 6.3 |
| Chile | 26 | 1.2 |
| World Total | 640 thousand tons | 25 thousand tons |
Key Takeaways:
- Mexico is the undisputed leader—in production.
- China and Peru are also major players due to rich primary deposits and large-scale mining infrastructure.
