Price analysis throughout the value chain and production volume mapping were used to get the global market valuation. The following were part of the methodology:
45+ major mining operations and refineries in Mexico, Peru, China, Australia, Chile, as well as secondary industrial hubs in North America and Europe have been identified.
Product mapping between Industrial/Commercial Grades, High Purity (99.9%+), and Sterling Grade (92.5%)
Examination of yearly revenues for silver-equivalent ounces as reported and projected, including by-product credits from lead-zinc and copper operations
coverage of companies engaged in mining and refining that will account for 75–80% of the world's silver supply in 2024
Verification of industrial demands in the fields of electronics (bonded wire, electrical connections), photovoltaics (metallization of solar cells), brazing alloys, jewelry and cutlery, and investment fabrications
To determine segment-specific valuations, extrapolation is done using top-down (validating manufacturer revenue against export data from national customs databases and UN Comtrade) and bottom-up (mine production × LBMA spot price modifications by purity) methods.
To improve estimates of the overall market volume, above-ground inventories and scrap recycling flows from metal service centers and urban mining operations are included (estimated at 15-20% of the total supply).