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Silver is a chemical element; it has symbol Ag (from Latin argentum 'silver', derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erǵ'shiny, white') and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. [ 9 ] .
Silver mining is thought to have actually begun in India, China, and Japan. Ancient Phoenicians obtained boatloads of silver from modern day Spain around 1200 to 800 BCE. During the 7th century BCE, the ancient Greeks extracted their silver from galena, a natural form of lead sulfide.
Silver is located in Group 11 (Ib) and Period 5 of the periodic table, between copper (Period 4) and gold (Period 6), and its physical and chemical properties are intermediate between those two metals. Properties, uses, and occurrence.
Silver ore refers to natural deposits of silver-containing minerals that are mined and processed to extract silver metal. Silver is a precious metal known for its lustrous appearance, high thermal and electrical conductivity, and various industrial, technological, and ornamental uses.
Silver is a soft, white metal that usually occurs in nature in one of four forms: 1) as a native element; 2) as a primary constituent in silver minerals; 3) as a natural alloy with other metals; and, 4) as a trace to minor constituent in the ores of other metals. Most of the silver produced today is a product of the fourth type of occurrence.
Most silver is extracted from silver ores, but considerable amounts are mined from Native Silver. Silver can be found pure, but is usually mixed with small amounts of gold, arsenic, and antimony. A natural alloy of gold and silver is known as Electrum, and is usually classified as a variety of Gold. Silver is a very resistant mineral.
The primary source of silver today is the New World. Mexico is the leading producer, followed by Peru. The United States, Canada, Russia, and Australia also produce silver. Around two-thirds of the silver obtained today is a by-product of copper, lead, and zinc mining.