Silver mining
Specific minerals include argentite (Ag2S), chlorargyrite ("horn silver," AgCl), polybasite (Ag, Cu)16Sb2S11), and proustite (Ag3AsS3).
The method that's chosen depends on the grade of the ore, the steepness and shape of the terrain, its depth, host rock, transportation availability, and other economic factors.
[7] Explosives are frequently used to shatter veins into manageable pieces, which are transported via mine cars and then lifted to the surface.
[8] Once removed from the mine, silver-containing ore is crushed (comminution) into a fine powder to expose individual grains to chemical processing.
The precipitation method is not extensively utilized due to the fact that excess sulfide can result in the release of toxic gas.
[7] The principal sources of silver are copper, copper-nickel, gold, lead, and lead-zinc ores obtained from Canada, Mexico,[9] Poland, Peru, Bolivia, Australia[10] and the United States.
[17] In recent centuries, large deposits were discovered and mined in the Americas, influencing the growth and development of Mexico, Andean countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Peru, as well as Argentina, Canada and the United States.
Elaborate washing tables still exist at the site which used rain water held in cisterns and collected during the winter months.
[citation needed] By the year 100 AD, the epicenter of silver mining transitioned into Spain, where the Roman Empire flourished.
[23] From the mid-15th century silver began to be extracted from copper ores in massive quantities using the liquation process creating a boost to the mining and metallurgy industries of Central Europe.
[29] The first major silver ore deposits in the United States were discovered at the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, Nevada, in 1859.
[17] New silver deposits had been discovered in Australia, Canada, United States, Africa, Mexico, Chile, and Japan, and by the end of 1920, global production surged to 190 million ounces annually.
[30] After separating it from the ore, amalgam is roasted and mercury vapor escapes into the atmosphere and also makes its way into rivers and soils.
Well water in South Morelos State, Mexico, was found to have high concentrations of toxic minerals including arsenic, iron, manganese, lead, and fluorine.
This leads to a variety of social and health effects such as cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
[34] Employment in mines results in longer working hours, reducing time for traditional activities like hunting and fishing, which threatens the spreading of ecological knowledge and cultural practices.
[34] While mining can provide economic resources for purchasing hunting equipment, it also accelerates the decline in traditional lifestyles and cultural heritage, impacting food security and community cohesion in indigenous populations.
This leads to fragmentation and potential conflicts, with spouses having increased household responsibilities and children facing adverse consequences such as behavioral issues and academic struggles.
[34] Silver mining in indigenous communities lead to cultural shifts, with Western values often replacing traditional ones.
While some argue that mining can promote cultural values such as independence and pride through job creation and increased disposable income, others highlight negative impacts such as the loss of traditional languages, attributed to factors like migration, labor market participation, and lack of educational support.
