Australian Silver Production: 1,510 Tonnes in 2021–2022

According to the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Australia produced 1,510 tonnes of silver in the 2021–2022 financial year.

Context

• Global Rank: ~5th–6th largest producer (after Mexico, China, Peru, Chile, Poland).
• Primary Source: By-product of lead-zinc (Cannington, McArthur River), copper (Olympic Dam), and gold mining.
• Major Mines: Cannington (Qld, South32 — world's largest single silver producer), McArthur River (NT, Glencore), Olympic Dam (SA, BHP), Mount Isa (Qld, Glencore).
• Exports: Mostly as lead/zinc concentrates or doré; refined domestically limited.

Trends

• Production stable ~1,300–1,600 t/yr last decade.
• Demand rising for solar (PV paste), EVs, electronics, green tech.
• Exploration in NSW (Broken Hill), WA, Qld.

Australia's silver is a critical mineral for the energy transition.