Historical reference
Even in ancient times, people discovered silver and attributed noble meaning to it. Archaeologists, conducting excavations, have discovered silver items all over the world: Scandinavia, South America, the Middle East, etc. Silver items were also found among the ancient Egyptians before the rise of pharaohs and dynasties.
Silver was believed to have magical and healing properties. In ancient times, people believed that silver represented the Moon, and alchemists included the metal as a chemical element in their experiments.
Silver in nature
Silver metal is present in many minerals and is rarely found in its pure form. Silver is found in rocks, sulfides, shales, etc. It has been established that the metal content in the soil is 60-70 mg per ton.
However, only some ores are convenient and economical to use for the extraction of precious metals: gold-silver, copper, lead.
In addition, some mineral compounds contain silver, which can also be extracted:
- stephanite;
- polybasite;
- dyscrasite;
- electrum;
- costulitis, etc.
Sea water also contains silver elements, and there are much more of them than in the earth. But at the moment, it is impossible to carry out work in water areas due to the lack of necessary technologies and the high cost of their development.
Silver is one of the chemical elements that is found in trace amounts in living organisms but plays an important role in healthy functioning. Surprisingly, the white metal is also present in meteorites. The following are answers to the question: how is silver mined?
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Silver in Valheim: how to get it, how to find it, what it looks like
Now the tenth world of Norse mythology, presented in the game Valheim, is extremely popular. And in this regard, it is regularly replenished with completely new players. And since many of these users are aspiring Vikings, you have to discover for yourself how the world of Valheim is an incomprehensible place. Therefore, you will have to figure out many details here yourself. After all, here even a basic search for a certain ore is a real problem. Yes, we have a separate guide for newcomers to the game Valheim , but it does not talk about game currency.
As a result, it’s difficult to figure it out on your own, especially when it comes to searching for silver. This metal in the game can safely be considered elite. In the later stages of the game it is impossible to do without silver, and during the search process not only hostile enemies will interfere, but also the weather.
In this regard, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare before searching. And it won't hurt to familiarize yourself with our guide. In this material, we tried to collect all the most relevant and useful information, namely, how to get silver in Valheim, how to find it and where to look, what this metal generally looks like.
Helpful information! You should know in advance that this ore (silver) is one of the heaviest resources in the game. For example, 1 unit of silver ore weighs 14 kilograms. Keep this in mind as this is one of the reasons why silver ore is so difficult to get to your home.
Where can you find silver in the game?
In fact, the answer is simple - it's a snowy mountain biome .
However, upon arrival, the silver has yet to be dug up, unlike the obsidian found there. In general, the mountain biome is unpleasant on all counts. And this is mainly due to the weather, since here a character can simply freeze, receive negative effects and, in the end, go to the next world. And that's not counting the fact that the mountain biome is filled with hostile creatures and animals. For example, there are packs of wolves, golems, werewolves, and you can even stumble upon winged wyverns of various breeds, while you have to refuse silver and fill your own inventory with this ore. Therefore, you definitely need to pick up the best weapons in the Valheim and armor .
How to get silver and not die?
First of all, you need to be patient, because digging is not fighting. And after that, make sure that the third game boss in Valheim , “Mass of Bones,” is killed. For what? The reason is that this vile creature drops a kind of metal detector, which is just useful for searching for ore. In addition, the “Swamps” where this boss lives must be completed in order to acquire iron, since in the mountain biome iron armor will definitely not hurt the character.
Helpful information! Please note that the character will not be able to immediately use (equip) the “Megingyerd” (an item that increases the carried weight) and the metal detector. And this is actually a problem, because this makes it impossible to immediately take away a large amount of silver with you. Since key items do not work together and this is not a bug - this is the developers' idea.
Helpful advice! Well, warm clothes with a decent supply of mead deserve special attention. All this will give you the opportunity to get protection from the cold. Without these things, going to the mountain biome is a complete game of survival.
The metal detector generally works quite simply: after the character equips it, a green glow will begin to appear around him, when silver deposits lie nearby. In addition, this entire process is accompanied by a special sound signal. Moreover, the sound signal will gradually increase (this will make it clear that the character is close enough to the desired place).
Helpful information! In addition to silver ore, there is also a certain chance for the character to find a special treasure. And this mechanic works not only in the mountain biome. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with this, because, as a rule, the chests are quite rich and whatever they give can be sold to a merchant , in return receiving valuable gold coins.
Helpful advice! Well, let’s separately add that in a mountain biome, especially if it is far away, it is best to try to take two iron pickaxes. Why and why? It’s simple – there’s an unrealistic amount of digging to be done in this area. And if the mountainous area is quite far away, it will be extremely inappropriate to return home to repair an old pickaxe or create a new one.
What can be made from silver and what is it used for?
After you manage to collect silver in the vast mountain biome, you can use the smelter to create silver ingots. However, the question arises: was it worth it? The answer is of course. And here’s what exactly can be created thanks to the character’s stock of silver:
- Wolf Armor deserves special attention . After all, this is one of the most powerful types of equipment in the vastness of Valheim. This set will not only provide excellent protection, but will also delight the character with frost resistance. In general, ideal armor for the mountain biome;
- Next you can create “ Silver Arrows ” and “ Silver Sword ”. The first ones are the dream of absolutely every archer due to the damage indicator. The second one has more monstrous damage, thanks to which you can easily kill skeletons and draugr, who are unable to withstand the blows of the noble metal due to their strong vulnerability to it;
- Well, the last thing is “Dragon helmet" This is the best addition to the Wolf armor set. Because "Wolf Armor" comes without a helmet. And just a dragon helmet looks very aesthetically pleasing, beautiful and fits the theme of the setting.
These were the most valuable and basic items that required silver. Therefore, with the help of this ore you can create many other useful items, the recipes for which will be revealed in any case. Therefore, be sure to prepare before you go to the mountain biome, stock up on resources and get ready to take on the long journey of transporting silver to your home. And if you decide to become one of the richest on the server, then we recommend that you also read the guide about coins in Valheim , where we also told you all the nuances of this currency.
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Silver extraction methods
Previously, the metal was found in its native form. Later it was heated in a container and crushed, and then washed on animal skins to remove sand and other contaminants. And the already purified metal was melted into ingots. At a certain period, silver was valued even more than gold itself.
Today's technology is significantly different from previous centuries.
There are several stages of mining work:
- on a plot of land that had previously been explored for the presence of silver, miners drill holes into which an explosive is later installed;
- after the explosion, the resulting pieces are removed upward;
- specialists study ore for further work;
- pieces of ore are placed in a special crusher for grinding;
- repeating the process for further division in a smaller crusher;
- crushing the resulting pieces until sand forms in a cone crusher.
Silver can currently be mined using two methods: cyanidation and amalgamation.
Cyanidation is a process in which the mined metal is exposed to oxygen and cyanide. The interaction of these two elements, which are in the form of a solution, allows the precious metal to dissolve. The liquid is then passed through special filters.
The filter walls are treated with zinc, which attracts silver molecules. But there is one drawback: 50% of the resulting layer cannot be used, as it is waste.
Amalgamation is a second method of silver mining in which the silver is exposed to mercury. When the elements come into contact, they form a wet state that needs to be removed from water.
Samples are tested in laboratories for the presence of grams of silver per kilogram of ore, and then placed in a furnace that is heated to 1000°. Next, the pieces are treated with a number of chemicals that prevent the silver from burning out, and the ore is sent back to the furnace.
After all the procedures, not only silver remains, but also some gold, as well as other metals. After filtering the resulting elements, the samples are melted into ingots.
Refining
Refining is the industrial separation of pure metal from ore.
The ore is first placed in a crucible furnace where it is heated to temperatures that separate the impurities from the precious metal alloy.
The resulting alloy is poured into molds - anodes, which are sent to special equipment for further electrolysis purification.
Draining silver-gold alloy into anodes
Silver anodes after draining
Next, the anodes are placed in an electrolyte - a solution of nitric acid with silver nitrate. The anodes are blanks obtained in furnaces, and the cathodes are stainless steel strips.
Silver cathode before melting
The silver thus obtained is melted again and poured into ingots.
Metal cleaning
There are other methods for extracting pure silver, for example, the pyrometallurgical method. It is used only when the concentrate is lead or copper elements.
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Raw copper compounds are placed in an electrical bath to cause electrolysis. Copper dissolves, and silver settles to the bottom.
Raw lead is treated with zinc at a high temperature of 450 degrees. Silver tends to gravitate towards zinc and thus dissolves better. The separated layer of silver and zinc is extracted and the next task is to separate the precious metal.
A temperature of 1250° can evaporate the zinc, but the silver does not remain in its pure form: lead and arsenic are still present. But after treatment with oxygen at 1000°, silver appears in a form in which it can be melted into ingots.
It should be noted that this is a fairly profitable method of purifying metal, since lead and copper are not expensive compounds, which means their processing does not require serious financial investments.
Silver mining work in Russia
Silver mining in Russia dates back to Peter I, who allowed the search for silver burials to begin, although silver had been known in Rus' since the 10th century.
Silver reserves are located in the east of the country, so the first silver smelting plant was opened in Transbaikalia in 1701. After the reforms of Witte and Stolypin for the development of Siberia and the Far East in the 20th century, large silver deposits were discovered.
The Russian Federation is one of the world's largest industrial centers for silver mining, since the extracted metal is not only spent for its own needs, but the country also actively exports some of it. Large deposits of silver are located in the Magadan Region, Chita Region, Khabarovsk Territory, Krasnoyarsk Territory, and the Republic of Sakha.
In total, there are about 100 deposits in the country, which are located in 20 regions of the country. Silver is also mined in the North Caucasus, and in the northwestern regions, and in the Urals.
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The country's largest precious metals mining company, Polymetal, processes 48% of silver annually. In 2008, the company was the absolute leader in silver mining in Russia.
In addition to the silver mining work itself, Polymetal is engaged in exploration work in search of new locations.
The technical base in this industry is constantly expanding, new scientific achievements are being used. In Russia, about 600 tons are mined per year, and in 2013 a record was set - 1,500 tons.
Silver mining work in the world
Mexico has been the undisputed leader in silver production since 2013. Only per year it extracts about 4,300 tons of metal from the bowels of the earth, which amounts to 19% of all world production.
The remaining leaders (in descending order) are:
- China;
- Peru;
- Australia;
- Russia.
There are other silver mining centers in the world: Sweden, Poland, Germany, Spain, Kazakhstan, Chile, Morocco, etc.
According to some geological data, silver reserves around the world amount to 512 thousand tons, and the annual production of silver in the world is 22 tons. The popularity of silver is due to the fact that without its participation, the operation of various gadgets and electronics is impossible. This is due to its physical and chemical properties, because 80% of silver is spent for production purposes, and only 20% goes to jewelry.
Properties
The popularity of silver and its many uses is explained by the physical and chemical properties of the element.
Physical properties
The pure element is heavy, its density is 10.5 g/cm³. The metal has a silver-white color and the following physical properties:
- softness;
- extraordinary plasticity - during processing the material easily changes shape;
- thermal conductivity 429 W/(m*K) - the highest among metals;
- highest electrical conductivity (at room temperature) among metals;
- relative refractoriness—melting point 962 °C;
- reflectivity - the property is used to make mirrors;
- no susceptibility to corrosion.
Chemical properties
In the periodic table of Mendeleev, silver has atomic number 47. It belongs to group 11 (copper subgroup). The chemical properties of the element are as follows:
- lack of reaction with other substances (natural conditions);
- opposition to aqua regia;
- no exposure to oxygen, silicon;
- dissolution in mercury to form an amalgam (liquid alloy) - this property is used in metal processing;
- dissolution in nitric, hydrochloric (if oxygen is present), hot concentrated sulfuric acid;
- formation of sulfide when heated with sulfur;
- with ultraviolet irradiation, oxidation with ozone and oxygen plasma, thin films are formed;
- sensitivity to sulfur;
- tarnishing (darkening) over time - the cause is a reaction with traces of hydrogen sulfide in the air, a sulfide deposit with a pinkish film is formed;
- insolubility of silver salts in water with the exception of nitrate, fluoride, perchlorate.
