Pan American Silver Corp.
One of the world's largest primary silver producers, this Vancouver-based miner digs silver and other precious metals out of mines across the Americas, with big operations in Mexico and Peru. It was founded in 1994 by geologist Ross Beaty, who bet on silver while rivals chased gold, and the "Pan American" name nods to its footprint spanning the Americas. Beaty kept silver's spotlight even when most miners abandoned it for gold.