Westside Data Solutions LLC

Silver prices reached record territory in late November 2025, driven not by speculation but by a structural supply deficit that shows no signs of easing.

The metal is caught in a squeeze. Industrial applications now account for nearly 60% of total silver consumption, a sharp departure from its traditional role as primarily a monetary asset. Solar panel manufacturing alone is projected to consume 14% of global silver demand this year. Each gigawatt of new solar capacity requires hundreds of thousands of ounces.

Electric vehicle production adds another layer of pressure. Analysts estimate EV manufacturing will consume more than 90 million ounces annually as automakers scale production of battery management systems, electrical contacts, and charging infrastructure.

Then there’s the AI economy. The expansion of data centers and high-performance computing infrastructure is creating unprecedented demand for silver-based materials used in advanced circuitry and thermal management. Market projections suggest AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with corresponding increases in the specialized electronics that depend on silver’s superior conductivity.

Mining operations are responding with technology. The global mining automation market is approaching $4 billion in 2025 as companies deploy robotics, autonomous drilling equipment, and AI-powered predictive maintenance systems. Digital twins are being used to optimize performance at complex mine sites. Machine learning algorithms analyze geological data to improve exploration efficiency and reduce downtime.

Recycling workflows are also innovating. With the market facing its fifth consecutive year of structural deficit, new automated sorting processes and chemical recovery methods are being developed to reclaim silver from electronic waste, end-of-life solar panels, and industrial catalysts.

The industrial metals landscape is evolving as companies manage tight supply, respond to increasing demand, and implement automation throughout the value chain.

If you’re exploring how automation can create operational capacity in your organization, Westside Data Solutions is here to help you move from data to direction.