As a specialist in the field of precious metals, I am frequently asked about the leading countries for gold and silver mining. While there are numerous factors that contribute to a country's success in mining these valuable resources, there are a few that stand out above the rest. In this article, I will discuss the top countries for gold and silver mining, as well as some fascinating facts about these metals and their uses.
Gold Mining
When it comes to gold mining, China, Australia, and the United States are the top three countries in terms of production. China leads the way with 11.8% of the world's total gold production since 2000, followed closely by Australia at 10% and the United States at 8.5%.Russia comes in fourth place with 8% of the world's gold production. It is estimated that there is still 20% of the Earth's gold yet to be extracted. Interestingly, China also has the largest amount of gold reserves, with Australia coming in second place. This means that not only does China produce a large amount of gold, but they also have a significant amount of it in reserve for future use.
Silver Mining
When it comes to silver mining, Mexico takes the lead as the top producer, followed by Peru in second place. The map below shows other countries that mine silver, as well as statistics on the amount mined in each location.
In addition to being used as currency and for investment purposes, silver has a wide range of uses including solar panels, water filtration systems, jewelry, and even specialized mirrors and window coverings. Its compounds are also used in photography and X-ray films, as well as in disinfectants and medical instruments.
The Properties of Silver
Silver is a relatively soft transition metal that is highly ductile and malleable. It has a cubic lattice structure with a coordination number of 12, and its single electron is dislocated in the 5s orbital, similar to copper and gold. Unlike metals with incomplete d-layers, silver's metallic bonds are relatively weak, which explains its low hardness and high ductility. Silver also easily forms alloys with other metals such as copper, gold, and zinc. In fact, zinc-silver alloys with a low concentration of zinc can be considered solid cubic solutions centered on the zinc faces in silver.As the concentration of electrons increases with more zinc, the structure changes to cubic, body-centered, complex cubic, and compact hexagonal phases.
The History of Silver
Silver has been used for thousands of years for its antibacterial properties. In ancient times, it was used to disinfect water and treat wounds. Today, it is still used for these purposes, but its use is limited due to the high demand for silver in other industries. One of the most famous silver mines in history is the Cerro Rico de Potosí in Bolivia. This mine is estimated to still have large deposits of silver inside and has been in operation since the 16th century.Other notable silver mines throughout history include those in Bohemia, Saxony, Alsace, Hungary, Norway, and more.
Palladium Mining
In addition to gold and silver, another precious metal that is often mined is palladium.South Africa
is the top producer of palladium, with an estimated 80,000 metric tons in reserves. Palladium is often used in electronics, medicine, dentistry, and groundwater treatment. It has a similar chemical composition to platinum and is considered one of the metals in the platinum group.Conclusion
In conclusion, the top countries for gold and silver mining are China, Australia, the United States, Mexico, and Peru.These countries not only produce a large amount of these precious metals, but they also have significant reserves for future use. Silver has a wide range of uses and has been used for thousands of years for its antibacterial properties. And while palladium may not be as well-known as gold and silver, it is still an important metal that is used in various industries.
