Silver Production in Europe by Country

Key Takeaways

• Poland dominates European silver production. It has consistently produced over 1,200 tonnes per year since 2019. That is more silver than the bottom group of producers combined.
• Russia remains a major producer but shows declining output. Its production volume fell by 11% between 2019 and 2023.
• Five of the eleven European countries recorded produced less than 50 metric tonnes per year. This highlights that silver in Europe is largely recovered as a byproduct of copper, zinc, and lead mining rather than mined as a primary metal.

Production of Silver in European Countries

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Europe is not a global silver heavyweight. Its output is anchored by a small group of stable producers:

Poland is the home of one of the world’s largest silver producers, KGHM Polska Miedź. The country has maintained output above 1,200 tonnes annually, reaching 1,320 tonnes in 2023. Poland alone produces more silver than the bottom nine European producers combined, underscoring its dominant role.

Russia follows in second place but shows a different trend. Silver production declined from 1,391 tonnes in 2019 to 1,236 tonnes in 2023, an 11% drop over five years. This is a reflection of the country’s geological challenges and shifting economic priorities.

Together, these two nations account for roughly 75% of European silver production.

Sweden rounds out the top three with consistent output around 400 tonnes annually. Silver production has remained steady as it is primarily recovered as a byproduct of copper and lead-zinc mining.

Volatility Dominates the Middle Tier

Beyond the top producers, European silver output becomes far less predictable.

• Spain rebounded strongly, rising from 78 tonnes in 2019 to 114 tonnes in 2023. This reflects renewed activity at polymetallic mines.
• Portugal maintained steady production near 95–99 tonnes annually, showing little structural change.
• Turkey experienced the sharpest swing, falling from 242 tonnes to 96 tonnes. That is a 60% decline consistent with fluctuations in base-metal mining.

At the lower end, Finland, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Ireland contribute small volumes under 50 tonnes annually. In these countries, silver is typically a byproduct of copper, zinc, or gold mining rather than the focus of dedicated silver operations.