Precious Metals
The Silver Series: The Many Phases of Silver (Part 1 of 4)
2015 Silver Series Part 1: The Many Phases of Silver
Since the early days of civilization, the ancients connected the brilliance of silver to the moon. Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, wore silver sandals and shot from a silver bow and arrow. This lunar comparison might be fitting because like the moon, silver also has many phases. The properties of silver make it the most dynamic of precious metals.
Evidence shows that silver was first separated from lead as far back in 3,000 BC. Many ancient civilizations used silver as money, including the Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans. This was because of silver’s natural properties which make it malleable, divisible, durable, consistent, and rare.
Throughout history, people have used silver to prevent and combat illness. We now know today that silver has unique and impressive antibacterial properties that help it break down the cell walls of harmful bacteria. Silver also is the most conductive metal, and one of the three most reflective metals (along with gold and aluminum, and depending on the wavelength of light). These properties help make silver one of the most important industrial metals, with uses from photography to solar cells.
Don’t miss another part of the Silver Series by connecting with Visual Capitalist.
Mining
Visualizing the New Era of Gold Mining
This infographic highlights the need for new gold mining projects and shows the next generation of America’s gold deposits.
Visualizing the New Era of Gold Mining
Between 2011 and 2020, the number of major gold discoveries fell by 70% relative to 2001-2010.
The lack of discoveries, alongside stagnating gold production, has cast a shadow of doubt on the future of gold supply.
This infographic sponsored by Novagold highlights the need for new gold mining projects with a focus on the company’s Donlin Gold project in Alaska.
The Current State of Gold Production
Between 2010 and 2021, gold production increased steadily until 2018, before leveling and falling.
| Year | Gold Production, tonnes | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,560 | - |
| 2011 | 2,660 | 3.9% |
| 2012 | 2,690 | 1.1% |
| 2013 | 2,800 | 4.1% |
| 2014 | 2,990 | 6.8% |
| 2015 | 3,100 | 3.7% |
| 2016 | 3,110 | 0.3% |
| 2017 | 3,230 | 3.9% |
| 2018 | 3,300 | 2.2% |
| 2019 | 3,300 | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 3,030 | -8.2% |
| 2021 | 3,000 | -1.0% |
Along with a small decrease in gold production from 2020 levels, there were no new major gold discoveries in 2021. Meanwhile, annual demand for the yellow metal increased by 10%, up from 3,651 tonnes to 4,020 tonnes.
The fall in production and long-term lack of gold discoveries point towards a possible imbalance in gold supply and demand. This calls for the introduction of new gold development projects that can fill the supply-demand gap in the future.
Sustaining Supply: Gold For the Future
Jurisdictions play an important role when looking for projects that could sustain gold production well into the future.
From political stability to trustworthy legal systems, the characteristics of a jurisdiction can make or break mining projects. Amid ongoing market uncertainty, political turmoil, and resource nationalism, projects in safe jurisdictions offer a better investment opportunity for investors and mining companies.
As of 2021, seven of the top 10 mining jurisdictions for investment were located in North America, according to the Fraser Institute. Here’s a look at the top five gold-focused development projects in the region, based on measured and indicated (M&I) gold resources:
| Project | M&I Gold Resource, million ounces* | Grade (grams/tonne) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSM | 88.4Moz | 0.51g/t | British Columbia 🇨🇦 |
| Donlin Gold** | 39.0Moz | 2.24g/t | Alaska 🇺🇸 |
| Livengood | 13.6Moz | 0.60g/t | Alaska 🇺🇸 |
| Côté Gold | 13.6Moz | 0.96g/t | Ontario 🇨🇦 |
| Blackwater | 11.7Moz | 0.61g/t | British Columbia 🇨🇦 |
*Inclusive of mineral reserves. **See cautionary statement regarding Donlin Gold’s mineral reserves and resources.
Located in Alaska, one of the world’s safest mining jurisdictions, Novagold’s Donlin Gold project has the highest average grade of gold among these major projects. For every tonne of ore, Donlin Gold offers 2.24 grams of gold, which is more than twice the global average grade of 1.03g/t.
Additionally, Donlin Gold is the second-largest gold-focused development project in the Americas, with over 39 million ounces of gold in M&I resources inclusive of reserves.
Novagold is focused on the Donlin Gold project in equal partnership with Barrick Gold. Click here to learn more now.
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