Photographs: Amit Dave/Reuters
World silver mine production increased to a new record of 23,800 tonnes as a result of increased production at primary silver and lead-zinc mines.
Production at the Palmarejo (primary silver) and Penasquito (lead-zinc) Mines in Mexico contributed to maintaining Mexico as the world's leading silver producer.
Production increases also took place in China and Australia - for example, at the Cannington Mine, the world's leading silver-producing mine.
Let's take a look at some of the biggest reserves of silver in the world.
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Henry Romero/Reuters
Peru
Mine production (2010): 3,640 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 4,000 tonnes
Total reserves: 120,000 tonnes
Global rank: 1
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Peter Andrews/Reuters
Poland
Mine production (2010): 1,180 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 1,200 tonnes
Total reserves: 85,000 tonnes
Global rank: 2
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Victor Ruiz Caballero/Reuters
Chile
Mine production (2010): 1,280 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 1,400 tonnes
Total reserves: 70,000 tonnes
Global rank: 3
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Mick Tsikas/Reuters
Australia
Mine production (2010): 1,860 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 1,900 tonnes
Total reserves: 69,000 tonnes
Global rank: 4
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Claro Cortes/Reuters
China
Mine production (2010): 3,500 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 4,000 tonnes
Total reserves: 43,000 tonnes
Global rank: 5
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Jorge Dan Lopez/Reuters
Mexico
Mine production (2010): 4,410 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 4,500 tonnes
Total reserves: 37,000 tonnes
Global rank: 6
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
The United States
Mine production (2010): 1,270 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 1,160 tonnes
Total reserves: 25,000 tonnes
Global rank: 7
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Jorge Silva/Reuters
Bolivia
Mine production (2010): 1,260 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 1,350 tonnes
Total reserves: 22,000 tonnes
Global rank: 8
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters
Russia
Mine production (2010): 1,150 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 1,400 tonnes
Total reserves: N/A
Global rank: 9
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Biggest silver reserves in the world
Photographs: Chris Wattie/Reuters
Canada
Mine production (2010): 600 tonnes
Mine production (2011): 700 tonnes
Total reserves: 7,000 tonnes
Global rank: 10
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