Silver - decreased production and decreased scrap supplyat the same time investor silver demand is increasing
1) SRSrocco Report
Change in silver (country) production Jan to Jun of 2015 vs same time period in 2014:
Mexico = -5%
Peru = +3.8%
China = EVEN
Australia = -30%
Chile = -6%
Canada = - 20%
The numbers are at end of June. Things have likely gotten tighter since then due to the next level escalation of the global economic situation and India`s new role as a big player on the silver consumption side of the equation.
The Canadian production reduction appears to be largely related to base metal mine shutdowns or reduced production activity. About 50 - 75% of silver production comes as a by-product metal from base metal mining (i.e. zinc). Expect more silver production to be taken off the market as base metal mining continues its contracting phase.
https://srsroccoreport.com/shocking-chart-the-silver-supply-crunch-continues/
2) BrotherJohnF
This person does a good job explaining the scrap silver situation, including junk silver.
A lot of scrap silver comes into the market when the silver price is high, as was the case in 2011. It is now the total opposite. Scrap silver supply has been falling meaningfully over the last couple of years (with the fall in paper silver price), but it is likely to fall off a cliff this years given the extremely depressed silver price.
There is already a significant premium given for 90% junk silver (which suggests the supply for junk silver is getting tight) - junk silver also rolls up under scrap in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzT3TyyFghU