Primary Silver Producer
A mining company where silver is the principal metal produced and accounts for the majority of revenue, as opposed to companies producing silver as a by-product of gold, copper, or lead-zinc operations.
Between an orebody and a saleable product sits a processing route, and it is usually the part of the story a junior explains least well. Recovery rate, stripping ratio and concentrate grade often matter more to project economics than the headline resource does — a high-grade deposit with poor metallurgy can be worth less than a lower-grade one that leaches cleanly.
This is also where the battery-metals supply chain gets specific. Lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are not the same product and do not serve the same cathode chemistries; nickel sulphate and Class 1 nickel are distinct from the nickel that goes into stainless steel. The terms below cover both conventional mining and the downstream chemical steps.
29 terms in this section.
Lithium chemical products (carbonate or hydroxide) that meet purity specifications required for lithium-ion battery manufacturing, typically 99.5% or higher purity. Battery-grade material commands premium pricing over industrial-grade lithium.
Exploration conducted near existing mines or known mineral deposits to find additional resources or extensions. Brownfield exploration has lower geological risk than greenfield work because the geological setting is already understood.
Silver recovered as a secondary metal during the processing of ores primarily mined for other metals such as gold, copper, lead, or zinc. Most silver production globally comes from by-product operations rather than primary silver mines.
A process for recovering gold from cyanide leach solutions using activated carbon to adsorb gold. The carbon is then treated to recover the gold. CIP is one of the most common gold recovery methods used in modern mills.
High-purity nickel (≥99.8% Ni) suitable for battery-grade nickel sulphate production. Class 1 nickel commands a premium over Class 2 nickel (ferronickel and nickel pig iron used in stainless steel). The EV revolution is driving unprecedented demand for Class 1 nickel.
An intermediate cobalt product (Co(OH)2) produced at some cobalt mines and refined into cobalt sulphate for battery cathode production. Cobalt hydroxide offers transportability advantages and flexibility in the cobalt supply chain.
A chemical compound (CoSO4) used as a critical input for lithium-ion battery cathodes, particularly in NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery chemistries. Most cobalt is produced as a by-product of copper and nickel mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The product of mineral processing that contains elevated concentrations of valuable metals. Concentrates are typically shipped to smelters for final metal recovery. For example, a copper concentrate might contain 25-30% copper.
A process that uses cyanide solution to dissolve gold from ore. The gold is then recovered from solution through adsorption on activated carbon or zinc precipitation. This is the most common method for gold extraction worldwide.
The unavoidable contamination of ore with waste rock during mining, which lowers the average grade of material sent to the mill. Dilution is expressed as a percentage and must be accounted for in resource estimates and mine planning.
A systematic exploration program using diamond or reverse circulation drilling to obtain subsurface samples for geological and geochemical analysis. Drill programs are essential for resource definition, exploration targeting, and upgrading resource classifications.
A mineral processing method that uses chemical reagents and air bubbles to separate valuable minerals from waste rock based on differences in surface properties. Flotation is widely used for copper, zinc, lead, and some gold ores.
The systematic collection and analysis of soil, rock, or water samples to detect anomalous concentrations of target elements. Geochemical surveys help identify areas of mineralization for follow-up drilling.
The use of physical measurements (magnetic, electromagnetic, gravity, or seismic) to detect subsurface geological features and potential mineral deposits. Geophysical surveys are cost-effective exploration tools for identifying drill targets.
A mineral processing technique that uses differences in specific gravity to separate heavy valuable minerals from lighter waste minerals. Common methods include jigs, spirals, and shaking tables, often used as a first stage in gold recovery.
Exploration activities conducted in areas with no previous mining or exploration history. Greenfield projects carry higher geological risk but offer potential for major new discoveries. Contrasts with brownfield exploration near existing mines or known deposits.
An industrial mining process used to extract precious metals from ore by placing crushed ore in large heaps and percolating a chemical solution through it to dissolve the valuable minerals. This method is economical for processing lower-grade ore deposits and is commonly used in gold mining operations.
A white powdery compound that is the most common form of lithium used in battery production. Produced from either hard rock (spodumene) or brine sources, lithium carbonate is a key material for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage.
A chemical compound preferred for high-energy-density batteries, particularly in electric vehicle applications. Lithium hydroxide generally commands a price premium over lithium carbonate due to superior battery performance characteristics.
The percentage of valuable metal that can be extracted from ore during processing. For example, 90% gold recovery means that 90% of the gold in the ore can be recovered through milling and processing, with 10% lost to tailings.
A facility where ore is crushed, ground, and processed to extract valuable minerals. Gold mills typically use gravity concentration, flotation, or cyanide leaching to recover gold from ore.
The percentage of ore in a deposit that is actually extracted and processed. Some ore is lost due to mining constraints, pillars left for ground support, or ore left in stopes. Typical mining recoveries range from 85-95%.
A combined rare earth product containing neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) and praseodymium oxide (Pr2O3), the two most valuable rare earth elements for permanent magnet production. NdPr oxide typically trades as a single commodity due to similar properties and applications.
A chemical compound (NiSO4) used in battery cathode production, particularly for high-nickel NMC and NCA battery chemistries that offer higher energy density. Class 1 nickel (>99.8% purity) is required for battery-grade nickel sulphate production.
A surface mining method where ore is extracted from an open excavation. Open-pit mining is suitable for deposits near the surface and is generally less expensive than underground mining but creates larger environmental footprints.
A mining company where silver is the principal metal produced and accounts for the majority of revenue, as opposed to companies producing silver as a by-product of gold, copper, or lead-zinc operations.
The ratio of waste rock that must be removed to extract one tonne of ore in open-pit mining. Lower stripping ratios indicate better economics. For example, a 3:1 stripping ratio means 3 tonnes of waste must be removed for every tonne of ore mined.
The waste material left over after ore has been processed to extract valuable minerals. Tailings are typically stored in engineered facilities called tailings dams and must be managed to prevent environmental impacts.
Mining method used to extract ore from deposits located deep beneath the surface. Underground mining is more expensive than open-pit but is necessary for deposits that are too deep or have too much overburden for surface mining.