The mineral that started it all…
Nevada is commonly referred to as “The Silver State,” dating back to the 19th century when people from all over the world flocked to Nevada to find their fortune in the hills of the Comstock. Today, Nevada is more well known for its gold mining, but the 8.9 million ounces of silver produced in 2016 was second only to Alaska in the United States.
Here are 5 things you may not know about silver:
Silver is used in electronic production because of its ability to resist corrosion. If a device has an on/off button, chances are it contains silver (including the device you’re reading this on).- NASA astronauts drink water purified by ionized silver. The ions destroy bacteria in the water.
- Silver is used in “cloud seeding.” Its molecular structure is similar to ice, so silver iodide is released into the air to encourage cloud condensation, which produces rain or snow.
- Silver is a vital component in solar panel production because of its electrical and thermal conductivity. The metal catches the sun’s rays and turns them into photovoltaic energy. 70 million ounces of silver were used in solar panel production in 2016.
- The Coeur Rochester Mine near Lovelock is Nevada’s largest producer of silver. The mine celebrated pouring its 150 millionth ounce in June 2017.
For more information about silver mining in Nevada, click here.