One of the silver facts I would like to know more about is what percentage of total annual silver production is being produced as a by-product of other metals, principally base metals.

Then, the next question would be what is happening right now with that part of the base metal sector, which has silver as a by-product.

Until recently, I was convinced that demand for base metals would recover to the pre-crisis levels due to continued or recovering growth in China and India. However, I am beginning to get my doubts about this assumption. At least for the next two years we may see continued decline in demand for base metals and the temporary suspension of (part of) base metal mining will have a very significant effect on the supply of silver.

Has anyone more insight on what part of overall silver production is being affected by the slump in base metal mining?