The price of silver ore varies almost daily, but the precious metal makes a great investment. Unlike paper currency, its value rises over time. Silver, considered precious in ancient times, remains valuable today as a hedge against inflation. Not many people save piles of raw silver ore in their garages, but owning stock with silver ore companies and commercial mining enterprises provides security as part of a larger investment portfolio.

People coined silver centuries ago, but other uses abound. It is the best metal for electrical conductivity. Because it resists corrosion and is malleable, smiths form it into silverware, dishes, trinkets, jewelry and myriad other items. The photography industry is one of the largest silver consumers. One reason to buy silver ore is for personal financial security. Demand for silver ore exceeded supply in 1990 and continues in like fashion today. The value seesaws from day to day, but over time, it escalates.

1. Start your own mining enterprise and learn how to refine silver ore.

2. Turn a silver mine into your gold mine.

3. Stay current on the price of silver ore.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the equipment you need to start a silver ore company

Everyone knows that prospectors need refining, especially those who pack ore by mule. Bad joke. Seriously, some mining operations are small-scale businesses or hobbies. The essential element of refining is smelting to extract nearly pure silver. Most large mining companies perform their own refining operations. Smaller mining enterprises can do the same.

I recommend: Purchase your own smelting equipment to avoid paying others to process ore. One place to find the equipment you need is EquipChange. It offers free finding services to locate the smelting products. ThomasNet provides an extensive list of places to purchase similar products, such as RDO Induction, which offers several different smelters.

Start an enterprise that mines for silver ore

A few silver ore distributors have raw ore readily available for sale. However, if you prefer, you can purchase a mine to tap your own sources.

I recommend: You can find information about mines and silver ore for sale at Infomine. Another source for locating information is at Gold and Silver Mines.

Keep up-to-date on current prices for silver ore

When you decide to invest in or sell to one of the silver ore suppliers, you must know the going rate.

I recommend: With more than 40 years experience, Monex Precious Metals is a market leader. Its website lists the current value of silver and other precious metals. Another place to find live silver prices is at Kitco. It began operations in 1977.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you wish to invest in a silver ore refining company, but don't want to run the day-to-day mining or smelting operations, you can invest as a joint venture partner. You can obtain up to 49% of a company's ownership by such means.