Silver: A Precious Metal Powering Electronics, Energy, and Investment
Silver is a precious metal (element symbol Ag, atomic number 47) renowned for its brilliant white metallic luster, exceptional malleability and ductility, and unparalleled electrical and thermal conductivity among all elements. It occurs naturally in its pure form (native silver) but is primarily obtained as a byproduct from the mining of copper, lead, zinc, and gold ores. Its extraction involves complex processes like cyanidation and electrolytic refining to achieve high purity. While prized for millennia in jewelry, coinage, and silverware, its modern industrial value stems from its unique physical and chemical properties: it is highly reflective, antibacterial, and possesses stable catalytic activity, making it far more than just a store of value.
The industrial applications of silver are vast and critical to modern technology. Its largest single use is in electronics and electrical contacts, where its unmatched conductivity is essential in switches, conductors, and printed circuits. It is a fundamental…