Silver hit an all-time high this week after bulldozing its way through US$80 per ounce.
Remarkably, the price of the metal has now surged by nearly to 190% since the start of the year.
It has also handsomely outperformed gold.
For comparison, the gold price has delivered strong gains of its own, climbing by approximately 73% in 2025.
Not surprisingly, both metals have left the broader market firmly in their wake.
For context, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has risen by about 6.8% during the same timeframe.
Despite this powerful rally, investors seeking exposure to silver have a limited number of ASX mining stocks to consider.
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The silver conundrum for investors in ASX mining stocks
In essence, there are no dedicated silver mining stocks in the ASX 200.
This is a major difference to gold which offers a string of options.
These include ASX 200 stalwarts like Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM), and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).
However, one of the few practical choices for exposure to silver is the Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG) exchange-traded fund (ETF).
This ASX ETF is designed to generate returns that mirror the silver price in Australian dollars, minus fees and expenses.
Overall, shares in this ASX ETF are up by 145% since the start of the year, trading at $107.00 each at the time of writing.
However, the ASX is also home to several exploration companies moving their silver projects towards production.
Below, we introduce three little-known ASX mining stocks advancing their respective projects and riding this year's silver price explosion.
Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL)
Andean Silver is progressing its Cerro Bayo silver and gold project in Chile towards mining.
So far, the ASX mining stock has defined a resource containing 47 million ounces of silver and 800,000 ounces of gold.
Current work is focused on expanding the resource through extension and exploration drilling, with recent results hinting at the project's upside potential.
Earlier this month, the company reported "outstanding" silver and gold intersections at Cerro Bayo, extending the known mineralisation beyond the current resource.
Since the start of the year, Andean shares have surged by 207% to reach $2.58 per share at the time of writing.
Sun Silver Limited (ASX: SS1)
Sun Silver is advancing its Maverick Springs silver and gold project in the US state of Nevada.
The ASX mining stock believes Maverick Springs is the largest undeveloped primary silver project on the ASX.
It hosts a resource containing 347 million ounces of silver and 2.2 million ounces of gold.
Management also noted that the mineralised system at Maverick Springs remains open in all directions, potentially paving the way for further growth.
Shares in Sun Silver haven rocketed by 210% so far this year, climbing to $1.99 apiece at the time of writing.
Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL)
Unico Silver is progressing two silver and gold projects in Argentina: Cerro Leon and Joaquin.
So far, it has defined a resource containing 232 million ounces of silver equivalent across both projects.
However, the ASX mining stock aims to grow this number beyond 300 million ounces through an ongoing exploration drilling campaign.
Its efforts will likely be aided by a significant cash injection announced last month.
In a nutshell, Unico pocketed $50 million from an institutional placement and share purchase plan to fast-track its growth strategy.
At the time of writing, shares in this ASX mining stock are changing hands at $0.90 per share.
They have now rocketed by 350% since the start of the year.
