Silver Mining News and Commentary

Finding opportunity in silver, the Devil's metal: Chris Thompson

The Gold Report | May 17, 2012

Silver has been called the most volatile of metals. But volatility produces opportunity, according to Chris Thompson, a top-ranked StarMine analyst with Haywood Securities.

Gold flirts with bear market as bullion backed funds have longest losing streak since 2004

Frik Els | May 16, 2012

"As equities fall, as the Greeks take money out of the banks and the banking sector collapses, I suppose you'd have to be wary of further price falls just to cover for losses in other markets."
BC mining industry earned extra $2 billion in 2011 on strength of coal, silver

Andrew Topf | May 16, 2012

The mining industry in British Columbia produced some healthy numbers in 2011, buoyed by high commodity prices and continued growth in mineral exploration, according to PwC’s annual BC Mining Survey.
Silver use in medicine could boost the market: report

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 16, 2012

For thousands of years, silver has been used at the table, on the battlefield and even in healthcare. Today, the uses of silver for its healing and preventative properties are growing and analysts wonder what this renewed demand for the graphite metal will mean for the silver market.
Silver Bear provides operational update and announces first quarter 2012 results

MINING.com Editor | May 16, 2012

Canadian Silver Bear Resources (TSX:SBR) posted Wednesday an operational update and announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2012.
Pan American Silver 1Q net falls 46% due to Mexican acquisition

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 16, 2012

Pan American Silver Corp. (TSX: PAAS, NASDAQ: PAA.T) first-quarter profit fell 46% as the costs of acquiring a Mexican gold and silver operation covered a revenue increase.
Latin American mining investment boom continues unabated

MINING.com Editor | May 16, 2012

Over the past decade, mining investment in Latin America has more than doubled, even after experiencing a sharp drop in 2009. According to a report by the Metals Economic Group, Latin America is now the primary destination for mining exploration investment in the world, with 25% of total investment going to Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina.
How to lose $1 billion in a day. Ask Eike

Frik Els | May 16, 2012

Brazil's Eike Fuhrken Batista is the world of mining's richest man and he's been on a roll this year – until Tuesday when $1,023,200,000 disappeared from his personal fortune.
First Majestic slashed 10% in grim day for silver sector

Frik Els | May 15, 2012

First Majestic Silver Corp shed most on the day and industry bellwethers Silver Wheaton and Pan American Silver both hit 52-week lows.
Is Mexico set to become a gold superpower?

MINING.com Editor | May 15, 2012

Mexico, the world’s largest silver producer, is expected to become the next source of “mega” gold projects as experts predict its bullion production will increase considerably in the next five years.
Hana announces positive preliminary economic assessment for the Ghanzi Copper-Silver Project

Marketwire - Mining and Metals | May 14, 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – May 14, 2012) – Hana Mining Ltd. ("Hana" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:HMG)(FRANKFURT:4LH) is pleased to announce the positive results of its initial independent National Instrument 43-101 compli…
What does $1 billion buy? Big silver mine

Northern Nevada Business Weekly | May 14, 2012

A nearly $1 billion expansion to add a milling facility at its flagship Hycroft mine could make Reno’s Allied Nevada Gold Corp. one of the largest silver producers in the world.
Monday metal meltdown: Gold drops to 10-month low

Frik Els | May 14, 2012

"What is more disconcerting is that while investors have over the past few weeks appeared cautious of running too short on gold, this fear looks to have evaporated."
Southridge signs letter of intent to purchase El Horconcito Gold Mine

Marketwire - Mining and Metals | May 14, 2012

Southridge Enterprises Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SRGE) ("Southridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with San Dimas Mineria S.A. to acquire a 100% interest in the El Horconcito Gold Mine, in the state of Durango, Mexico.
Gold $12,000 and Silver $1,000 twenty years from now

Market Oracle | May 13, 2012

Should both Gold & Silver Bulls & Bears take a long winter sleep? Maybe When we look at Silver prices from 1985 to today (Green line in the chart below) and compare the evolution to the one from 1967 to 1974 (black line in the chart below), we …
Gold! Haitians hope ore finds will spur economic boom from mining for gold, copper and silver

Washington Post | May 11, 2012

Its capital is blighted with earthquake rubble. Its countryside is shorn of trees, chopped down for fuel. And yet, Haiti’s land may hold the key to relieving centuries of poverty, disaster and disease: There is gold hidden in its hills — and silver and copper, too.
End of the Kim era at Kazakhmys

Frik Els | May 11, 2012

When Kim got involved with Kazakhmys (then called ZhezkazganTsvetMet) during the 1990s the Soviet era the state company was in complete disarray and debt laden. He turned Kazakhmys into a $6 billion company and amassed a personal fortune of $3.5 billion along the way.
Will a Euro breakup boost gold and silver prices?

The Gold Report | May 11, 2012

Greek politicians are struggling to form a new government. Concerns are increasing that Greece will drop the euro.
Increased foreign expansion exposes Canadian mining companies to risk

Grant Thornton | May 10, 2012

The current economic climate has created an ideal setting for the growth of Canadian mining companies. And for many, there may be no better way to embrace this opportunity than through foreign expansion.
The commodity megatrend

Stephan Bogner, Rockstone Research Ltd | May 10, 2012

Commodities have experienced a renaissance after the bursting of the internet bubble at the end of the 20thcentury. The new and long-term upward trend began with most commodities in late 1990s and already lasts nearly 15 years. During this time, most commodity prices manifold strongly.
Qatar plonks $4 billion on Xstrata and hands Glasenberg another victory

Frik Els | May 10, 2012

The oil and natural gas rich nation's stake in the coal giant is now 8% with a target of over 10%, providing crucial back for Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg to push through the $90 billion merger with Xstrata.
Fortuna reports net income of US$11.11 million on revenue of US$40.60 million in the first quarter of 2012

PR Newswire: Mining | May 10, 2012

Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) (BVL: FVI | Frankfurt: F4S.F) is pleased to announce that it has filed its financial statements and MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Endeavour Silver increases silver output 19 pct Y/Y in Q1 2012

MINING.com Editor | May 9, 2012

Mexico-focused miner Endeavour Silver Corp (TSE:EDR) increased silver output by 19% year-on-year to 1.07 million ounces in the first quarter of 2012 after a plant expansion at its Guanajuato mine in 2011.
Mongolia backtracks on state ownership of mining companies

Frik Els | May 9, 2012

Fearing a backlash by foreign investors in the mining sector – the foundation of the country's economy – Mongolian legislators on Tuesday watered down many of the provisions of draft legislation that gives the state greater control and ownership of mining projects.
Anglo American Platinum to adopt fuel cell locomotive

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 9, 2012

Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the world’s largest platinum producer, launched today the first of five fuel cell-powered locomotive prototypes to be tested at its mining operations in South Africa.
Silver forecasters bullish as funds retreat from slump

Bloomberg | May 9, 2012

At a time when hedge funds are reducing bullish silver bets by the most in two years, analysts predict a rally as manufacturing expands from China to the U.S., boosting demand for the precious metal most used in industry.