Silver is considered both an industrial metal and a precious metal. It is used in jewelry manufacturing, electronics and photography, among other things. Like gold, it also serves as a safe haven for many investors in times of economic turbulence and to some extent as a hedge against inflation.
Silver mining companies are involved in the exploration, development and production of minerals. In addition to silver, these companies often also mine other metals and minerals such as zinc, lead, copper and gold. Silver is often a by-product of the mining of other metals.
In this article, we will introduce you to five companies in the silver and precious metals industry, including some of the best-known and most popular silver stocks among investors.
Wheaton Precious Metals
- Company: Wheaton Precious Metals Corp
- Symbol (TWS): WPM
- ISIN: CA9628791027
- Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange / New York Stock Exchange
- Country: Canada / USA
- Currency: CAD / USD
- Market capitalization: CAD 25.94 billion / USD 20.77 billion
- Sales (TTM) in USD: 1.66 billion
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (until 2017 Silver Wheaton Corp.) is a mining company that was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The company sells precious metals and is one of the world's leading companies in the silverstreaming sector in particular. In silverstreaming, part or all of the silver production is purchased at a fixed price and sold on. Wheaton Precious Metals currently has contracts for 24 operating mining facilities and 7 projects in the development stage.
Polymetal International
- Company: Polymetal International plc
- Symbol (TWS): POLY / AUCOY
- ISIN: JE00B6T5S470 / US73178Q1058
- Stock Exchange: Moscow Exchange
- Country: Russia
- Currency: RUB
- Market capitalization: -760.18 billion RUB / 10.43 billion USD
- Sales (TTM) in USD: 2.86 billion
Polymetal International plc operates as a precious metals mining company in Russia, Kazakhstan, East Asia and Europe. The company is active in the exploration, extraction, processing and mining of gold, silver, copper, zinc and platinum group metals. The company's flagship project is the Kyzyl property in East Kazakhstan. Polymetal International plc was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Fresnillo
- Company: Fresnillo plc
- Symbol (TWS): FRES
- ISIN: GB00B2QPKJ12
- Stock exchange: London Stock Exchange
- Country: Great Britain
- Currency: GBX (Pence Sterling)
- Market capitalization: GBP 6.06 billion / USD 8.43 billion
- Sales (TTM) in USD: 2.43 billion
Fresnillo plc mines, develops and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. The company mainly explores for silver, gold, lead and zinc concentrates. Its flagship project is the Fresnillo silver mine in the state of Zacatecas. The company has mining concessions covering around 1.7 million hectares of land in Mexico. It also rents out mining equipment, produces gold/silver doré bars and offers administrative services. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Mexico City. Fresnillo plc is a subsidiary of Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V.
Pan American Silver
- Company: Pan American Silver Corp
- Symbol (TWS): PAAS
- ISIN: CA6979001089
- Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange / Nasdaq
- Country: Canada / USA
- Currency: CAD / USD
- Market capitalization: CAD 7.37 billion / USD 5.88 billion
- Sales (TTM) in USD: 1.35 billion
Pan American Silver Corp., together with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the exploration, development, mining, processing, refining and treatment of silver, gold, zinc, lead and copper mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. The company holds interests in the La Colorada, Dolores, Huaron, Morococha, Shahuindo, La Arena, Timmins West, Bell Creek, Manantial Espejo, San Vicente, Pas Corp and Navidad mines. Pan American Silver Corp. was formerly known as Pan American Minerals Corp. and changed its name to Pan American Silver Corp. in April 1995. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Industrias Peñoles
- Company: Industrias Peñoles, S.A.B. de C.V.
- Symbol (TWS): PEOLES
- ISIN: MXP554091415
- Stock Exchange: Bolsa Mexicana de Valores
- Country: Mexico
- Currency: MXN
- Market capitalization:MXN 111.57 billion / USD 5.62 billion
- Sales (TTM) in USD: USD 5.18 billion
Industrias Peñoles was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Together with its subsidiaries, the company is active in the exploration, mining and sale of mineral concentrates and ores. Industrias Peñoles operates precious and base metal mines in Mexico, Asia, Europe, the United States, Canada and South America.