Silver and its Strategic Technological Return as a Precious Metal
Proverbs 2:4 (New International Version): "and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure."
Silver is mentioned many times in the Bible, often in the context of wealth, currency, or precious metals or materials used in construction. In the Old Testament, silver is often referred to as a valuable commodity. For example, in the book of Genesis, silver is mentioned in the context of trade (Genesis 23:16), and in Exodus, it is used for constructing assorted items, including the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:19, 27:17).
In the New Testament, silver is also mentioned, most notably in the story of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). This event is significant in Christian theology and is seen as a symbol of betrayal for monetary gain.
While the Bible acknowledges the material value of silver, it also emphasizes spiritual values and warns against the love of money over devotion to God. The Bible often encourages believers to prioritize virtues such as generosity, compassion, and righteousness over the accumulation of wealth.
Ted Butler of Bulter Research's article Silver, The Essential Silver Fact states;
"First, silver is a rare commodity that traces its roots, along with gold, to the start of recorded civilization some 5000 years ago. Long prized and valued for its beauty and allure, money, decorative objects and jewelry accounted for it being accumulated in such forms for thousands of years (just like gold). About 150 or so years ago, important chemical and other properties were discovered, such as silver becoming essential in photography and it being the best conductor of electricity and heat and reflector of light, so much so that most of all the billions of ounces in world silver inventories accumulated were used up in these industrial applications."
Continuing -
"Also remaining a primary investment asset, silver morphed into becoming a highly unique commodity in that it had a dual consumption profile – being both a vital industrial commodity as well as an investment asset. What this means is that the world’s annual supply of new silver from mining and recycling must satisfy both the demand for industrial and jewelry fabrication, as well as investment demand. Recent data from the Silver Institute indicate total fabrication and investment demand have exceeded total mine and recycling demand by nearly 200 million oz for 2022, the largest such imbalance in decades."
International Monetary Fund (IMF) "money flower," which is a taxonomy of money. The IMF introduced this concept to categorize different forms of money in the modern financial system.
The money flower is a visual representation of these categories, with central bank money at the center and the other forms of money arranged around it. This concept helps illustrate the evolving nature of money in the modern financial landscape, including both traditional forms and newer digital alternatives.
“A lot of people look at silver as the poor man’s gold,” said Neumeyer, “which is completely a nonsensical way to look at it. All these lights, this computer that you're working on, everything that we do as the human race requires silver, and it's just not understood. I think it’s the most misunderstood metal there is on the planet.”
Global silver mine production is due to fall 2% this year to about 820 million ounces, compared to forecasted demand of 1.2 billion ounces. Miners produced about 830 Moz in 2021 against a billion ounces of consumption. “We’ve got now two industries: the solar panel industry and the electric car industry. That's consuming 30% of the mined supply of silver,” he said. A big primary silver mine produces roughly 10 million ounces a year, so the deficit represents several silver mines worth of production. “One mine coming on stream with 10 million ounces of production has zero impact, and there's no big mines out there that are coming into production anyways,” said Neumeyer, adding that output is dropping at all the major silver producers. He is surprised silver hasn’t been listed as a critical metal, given its use in electric vehicles and solar cells. First Majestic is lobbying the Canadian and American governments to put the metal on the list.
Silver, A Stategic and Technolocal Precious Metal
OpDes Architecture aligns with the perspective of numerous influential market analysts who foresee silver assuming a pivotal role in the fourth industrial revolution, emerging as a strategic and indispensable metal of paramount technological significance. Additionally, the enduring historical legacy of silver as a monetary standard, dating back even further than that of gold, is poised to further bolster its resurgence in the foreseeable future. The profound implications of silver's multifaceted utility across various sectors underscore its potential to reclaim its status as a prized asset in the modern era.
Moreover, the advent of Smart Buildings heralds a paradigm shift in urban infrastructure, propelled by cutting-edge technologies poised to revolutionize urban living. At the heart of this transformative wave lies the indispensable role of silver, distinguished as the sole element on the periodic table capable of meeting the stringent demands of speed, power, and computational prowess requisite for NexGen Smart Buildings.
The symbiotic relationship between silver and innovative architectural designs underscores the intrinsic synergy between technological advancement and the material foundations that underpin the evolution of urban landscapes. As the nexus of innovation converges with architectural ingenuity, silver emerges as the linchpin that catalyzes the realization of smarter, more efficient, and sustainable urban habitats.
Silver, with its rich historical legacy as a precious metal, stands poised not only to reclaim its former status but also to expand its significance as a strategic precious metal for the technologies of the next generation. As advancements in technology continue to shape the global landscape, silver emerges as a key player in driving innovation across various industries. Its unique properties make it indispensable for a wide range of applications, from electronics to renewable energy systems. Furthermore, the enduring allure of silver as a store of value, dating back millennia, adds a layer of stability and trust to its role in the modern economy. As society increasingly relies on cutting-edge technologies to address complex challenges, the demand for silver is expected to soar, further solidifying its position as a cornerstone of the technological revolution. Embracing silver as a strategic precious metal not only unlocks new possibilities for technological advancement but also reinforces its timeless appeal as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
