The analyst team at Morgans has run the ruler over the project and has come up with a very bullish share price target on Silver Mines shares, which we'll get to shortly.

First, let's have a look at why Morgans likes the company so much.

Large silver project progressing toward development

Morgans said Silver Mines' Bowdens project is Australia's largest undeveloped silver resource and one of the largest globally.

The deposit also remains open beyond the current mining plan, "leaving room for reserve growth, mine life extension and underground potential''.

Morgans notes that direct silver exposure is rare among ASX miners, and in this case, "with silver contributing ~86% of life-of-mine revenue, Bowdens is one of the purest ways to gain leverage to rising silver prices through an advanced Australian development asset''.

The broker has modelled free cash flow of $1.63 billion over the life of the mine, and added, "we expect the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) to further refine the development pathway and potentially unlock additional value through updated pricing assumptions, optimisation initiatives and mine life extensions''.

They added:

We forecast first production in FY30, providing sufficient time for completion of the revised approvals process, project financing and construction. Following multiple engineering studies, metallurgical programmes and optimisation work, we consider Bowdens a technically mature development asset, leaving permitting and financing as the principal remaining milestones.

Shares looking cheap

Morgans has a 40-cent per share price target on Silver Mines, compared to the current price of 12.5 cents per share.

The broker said that the market "continues to undervalue Bowdens' combination of scale, technical maturity and leverage to a structurally improving silver market''.

They added:

While permitting remains the dominant risk, we believe this is increasingly offset by a more clearly defined approvals pathway, an advanced stage of project development, and multiple near term catalysts capable of reducing the regulatory discount currently reflected in the share price. Our thesis rests on what we view as an increasingly compelling asymmetry in Bowdens' risk-reward profile, underpinned by exceptional leverage to a strengthening silver price, a technically mature development plan and a more clearly defined permitting pathway.

They added that their valuation only reflects a portion of the company's broader options, including further open-pit cutbacks and potential resource growth.

Silver Mines is currently valued at $277.42 million.

The post This ASX silver mine developer could more than triple in value: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's see if its analysts rate the following three shares as buys, holds, or sells. Here's what you need to know:

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Morgans was pleased with this investment platform provider's contract win with Morgan Stanley. It believes this is a testament to the quality of its offering.

However, it isn't quite enough for a buy rating. Morgans has put an accumulate rating (between buy and hold) and $27.50 price target on Netwealth's shares. It commented:

NWL's recent win with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management represents strong early validation of NWL's iHIN offering and expansion into the broker segment of the market, which represents a net-flows tailwind into FY27-FY30. We see NWL's incremental investment into FY27 as a doubling down on its strategy to drive further long-term scale benefits. We reiterate our Accumulate rating with a A$27.50 PT.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The broker has initiated coverage on Qantas shares this week. It highlights that FY 2027 is going to be a transitional year, with FY 2028 expected to be higher growth. 

As a result, Morgans has put an accumulate rating and $11.50 price target on the airline operator. It said:

Qantas's post-COVID balance sheet strengthening and cost discipline have positioned it to absorb the current fuel cost shock and consumer softness with genuine resilience. We forecast 2H26 PBT to be down on pcp as fuel and economic conditions bite, with FY27 forecast to deliver a moderate uplift. We view FY27 as a transition year for Qantas with higher growth expected from FY28 onwards as oil prices, refining margins and demand normalise. Structural growth drivers (fleet renewal, Project Sunrise, Loyalty scaling toward FY30 target) remain intact. We initiate coverage with an ACCUMULATE rating and an A$11.50ps price target.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL)

Another ASX share that Morgans has initiated coverage on its silver developer Silver Mines.

It is a fan of the company and sees significant potential in its Bowdens Silver Project in New South Wales. This has seen the broker put a speculative buy rating and 40 cents price target on Silver Mines shares, which is more than triple its current share price. It explains:

Silver Mines is advancing the 100%-owned Bowdens Silver Project in the Central West region of NSW, Australia's largest undeveloped silver project and one of the largest primary silver development assets globally, underpinned by a 334Moz AgEq Mineral Resource and 71.7Moz Ag Ore Reserve. Our thesis rests on what we view as an increasingly compelling asymmetry in Bowdens' risk-reward profile, underpinned by exceptional leverage to a strengthening silver price, a technically mature development plan and a more clearly defined permitting pathway. Despite this improving outlook, the stock continues to trade at a material discount to our assessed intrinsic value. 

We see the improving silver market, permitting progress and the approaching DFS collectively driving a period of meaningful value creation. We initiate coverage with a SPECULATIVE BUY recommendation and a target price of A$0.40 per share.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Netwealth, Silver Mines, and Qantas shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is down 1.5% to $161.30. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Morgan Stanley this morning. According to the note, the broker has retained its underweight rating on CBA's shares with a reduced price target of $125.00. The broker has named Australia's largest bank as its least favoured major bank. Morgan Stanley's price target implies potential downside of 22% from current levels.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price is down over 3% to $5.93. Investors have been selling the lithium miner's shares despite there being no news out of it today. However, it is worth noting that most lithium stocks are falling on Friday. In addition, PLS recently reported some heavy insider selling, as we covered here.

Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG)

The Resolute Mining share price is down 6% to $1.12. Investors have been selling the gold miner's shares today after it released a disappointing update on its Syama operation. That update revealed that production during the second quarter of FY 2026 has been impacted by logistical and supply chain disruptions. As a result, Resolute Mining now expects Syama's second-quarter gold production to be around 30,000 ounces. This is well short of its original expectation of 40,000 ounces to 45,000 ounces. The company's CEO, Chris Eger, said: "Recent performance at Syama has been below expectations despite the significant changes implemented in Mali. These issues are well understood, and our focus is on stabilising operations and restoring consistent performance. Importantly, the broader business continues to perform well. The Company remains cash generative, supporting ongoing investment in growth, including the Doropo development, which continues to progress to plan."

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL)

The Silver Mines share price is down 3.5% to 13.5 cents. This morning, this silver developer announced that it has entered into an option underwriting agreement with Petra Capital to fully underwrite the exercise of unlisted options. It said: "The Company has decided to enter into the Underwriting Agreement for the purpose of providing certainty that it will raise additional funds of $7,556,782."

The post Why CBA, PLS, Resolute Mining, and Silver Mines shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The outperforming stock in question is Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL).

Silver Mines shares closed yesterday trading for 15.5 cents. In morning trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for 16.3 cents apiece, up 4.8%.

This sees the Silver Mines share price up an impressive 63.9% over the last 12 months, racing ahead of the 3.2% one-year gains posted by the All Ords.

Here's what's grabbing investor interest again today.

ASX All Ords silver share jumps on land purchase

Silver Mines shares are charging higher after the miner announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Bowdens Silver, has inked a binding agreement to acquire a parcel of freehold land. The agreement also includes associated water entitlements.

The newly acquired land is strategically located next to Silver Mines' flagship Bowdens Silver Project, located in New South Wales.

The ASX All Ords silver share noted that, on completion of the latest acquisition, it will own some 3,345 hectares of freehold land. Taken together with its existing leases and land access agreements, this covers the entire Bowdens Silver Project area along with "a substantial surrounding buffer area".

Silver Mines will pay $12.5 million in cash for the new freehold land parcel, with $1.76 million already having been paid to vendors. The miner will dip into its existing cash reserves to fund the purchase. It expects full settlement of most lots on 24 July.

What did Silver Mines management say?

Commenting on the strategic land acquisition helping lift the ASX All Ords silver share today, Silver Mines managing director Jo Battershill said, "Securing this strategic landholding demonstrates Silver Mines' confidence in the future development of the Bowdens Silver Project, one of the world's largest undeveloped silver projects."

Battershill added:

The acquisition materially strengthens our land holding position around the project area, supporting our long-term development strategy as we progress the redetermination of the Development Consent and Mining Lease approvals.

Importantly, the acquisition delivers a number of strategic benefits to the project, including enhanced water security, biodiversity enhancement opportunities, and flexibility for future infrastructure.

The property also supports ongoing grazing and cropping activities, reflecting our commitment to responsible land stewardship and productive agricultural use.

Looking ahead, Battershill concluded:

The Bowdens Definitive Feasibility Study remains on track for completion around mid-year and we look forward to updating investors with the results in the coming months.

The post Why is this ASX All Ords silver share surging in Tuesday's sinking market? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade on Thursday, shares are up 1.1%, trading for 18.2 cents apiece, outpacing the 0.1% gains posted by the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) at this same time.

Just one year ago, you could have picked up Silver Mines shares for just 10 cents each, delivering a gain of 82.0% at current prices. That's well ahead of the 15.5% 12-month gains posted by the benchmark index.

Part of that outperformance has been driven by the surging silver price. At US$80 per ounce, the silver price is up 142% since this time last year. But the ASX All Ords silver share has hardly been sitting idle.

Here's what the miner reported this morning.

ASX All Ords silver share uncovers high-grade samples

Silver Mines shares are pushing higher today following the release of an exploration update at the miner's Calico North and Kramer Hills Projects, located in the US state of California.

At Calico North, the ASX All Ords silver share has completed a spectral survey and a field mapping program. 219 rock samples were collected as part of the field mapping. The company reported that around 20% of those samples returned assays greater than 50 grams of silver per tonne (g/t AG), with 10% of the rock samples returning more than 100 g/t Ag.

The miner said phase one drill planning at Calico North is underway.

Phase one drill planning is also underway for Kramer Hills.

The ASX All Ords silver share said that its field mapping program at Kramer Hills has been completed, which confirmed the location of the target structure in proximity to the historic Shaherald Pit.

An ecological survey of the Kramer Hills project area has been completed by Stringer Biological Consulting.

What did Silver Mines management say?

Commenting on the exploration results helping to boost the ASX All Ords silver share today, Silver Mines managing director Jo Battershill said, "We are very encouraged by the speed at which reconnaissance exploration activities have occurred at the Calico North and Kramer Hills Projects in San Bernardino."

Battershill added:

Our technical team is now focused on interpreting the results, planning the inaugural drill programs and completing the required permitting steps. We are on track to be drilling at Kramer around mid-year…

The Calico North Project ticks a lot of boxes for us with extensive zones of silver-barite mineralisation trending across almost 40 kilometres of prospective strike and close to historical mines that produced over 20 million ounces of high-grade silver.

The post Up 82% in 12 months, ASX All Ords silver share jumping today on big US news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE)

The Brazilian Rare Earths share price is down 4.5% to $4.30. This may have been driven by profit taking from some investors after the rare earths developer's shares raced higher on Wednesday. Investors were buying Brazilian Rare Earths shares after it revealed that it has secured a Trial Mining Licence from Brazil's National Mining Agency for its Monte Alto project in Bahia. This allows for the extraction of up to 2,000 tonnes per annum of material from the deposit. The company's managing director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, said: "Securing the Trial Mining Licence is a significant milestone for Monte Alto and a major step forward in BRE's integrated ore-to-oxides development pathway in Brazil."

L1 Group Ltd (ASX: L1G)

The L1 Group share price is down 5.5% to $1.00. This morning, the fund manager previously known as Platinum Asset Management, revealed that it is launching a new investment company that is expected to be listed on the Australian share market next month. The L1 Gold Fund aims to deliver positive absolute returns for shareholders over the medium to long term through investment in domestic and international gold sector securities, as well as a secondary allocation in the other precious metals sector.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL)

The Silver Mines share price is down 4.5% to 16.7 cents. This appears to have been driven by another pullback in the silver price overnight. This is down approximately 38% from the high it reached in January. A stronger US dollar and inflation concerns have been weighing on both the silver and gold price this month.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price is down 3% to $72.59. This is despite there being no news out of the cloud accounting platform provider on Thursday. However, it is worth highlighting that most ASX tech stocks are falling today, reversing some of the strong gains they made on Wednesday. This has seen the S&P/ASX All Technology Index tumble 1.8% at the time of writing.

The post Why Brazilian Rare Earths, L1 Group, Silver Mines, and Xero shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

During lunchtime, Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) and Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL) have both surged more than 16%. Not far behind, Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) has jumped nearly 13%.

So, what's driving the rally? It all comes down to one thing: the price of silver.

Silver price rebounds hard

The silver price has climbed around 4% today. That was enough to send ASX-listed silver stocks flying.

But the bigger story is volatility.

Silver has been on a powerful bull run over the past year, driven by tight supply and booming demand. Along the way, it's delivered big gains but not without sharp pullbacks.

In fact, prices have dropped about 16% over the past month. That rattled sentiment and dragged ASX silver stocks lower.

Now, we're seeing a bounce.

At the time of writing, silver is sitting around US$74.15 per ounce. That's roughly 120% higher than a year ago, a massive move.

And it explains why investors are piling back in.

What's fuelling demand?

Silver isn't just a precious metal. It's also an industrial powerhouse.

Demand is exploding across several fast-growing sectors. Solar panels are a major driver. Silver is a key component in photovoltaic cells.

Electric vehicles are another. They rely on silver for electrical systems and conductivity.

Then there's data centres. As global computing demand rises, so does the need for silver in electronics and infrastructure.

This combination — industrial demand plus investment demand — makes silver unique.

It behaves like both a growth metal and a safe haven. That's a powerful mix.

What's the outlook?

The big question: can silver keep climbing?

According to the London Bullion Market Association 2026 Precious Metals Forecast Survey, the average expected silver price for 2026 is US$79.57 per ounce. That's roughly a potential 7% upside from current price levels.

In other words, while the long-term outlook remains strong, some analysts think prices may cool in the near term after such a huge run.

Still, with supply constraints and structural demand in place, the broader trend remains positive.

What next for the ASX silver stocks?

Each of today's winners tells a similar story: big long-term gains, but recent weakness.

Silver Mines is up around 82% over the past 12 months. But it's still down about 18% year to date.

Andean Silver has climbed roughly 63% over the past year, yet has slipped 17% in 2026 so far.

Unico Silver has been the standout performer. The $350 million ASX silver stock has surged an incredible 158% over 12 months — but even it is down about 22% year to date.

That gap highlights just how volatile the sector is.

These stocks tend to amplify moves in the silver price. When silver rises, they often rise faster. When it falls, they can drop just as quickly.

Foolish Takeaway

Today's surge shows how quickly sentiment can shift in the silver space.

A modest 4% move in the underlying commodity was enough to spark double-digit gains in ASX stocks.

If silver continues higher, these names could keep running.

But buckle up — volatility is part of the ride.

The post Why are these ASX silver stocks racing higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

According to the 2026 LBMA Precious Metals Forecast Survey, the average annual price expectation for 2026 is US$79.57 per ounce.

That's lower than the current silver price of US$82.50 per ounce, at the time of writing.

But remember, the US$79.57 is an average annual prediction.

Analysts expect the silver price to trade in a wide range week-to-week, month-to-month, over the next year.

Some analysts suggest the silver price could trade as high as US$160 per ounce at some point in 2026.

Tailwinds for silver

The tailwinds for the silver price include geopolitical risks, the debasement trade, and rising industrial usage due to the energy transition.

As a precious metal, silver is considered the 'poor cousin' of gold, but it's still seen as a safe-haven option, and it's cheaper, too.

That's why the silver price typically runs about the same time as the gold price, but with a lag.

When people want safe-haven investments, they turn to gold first. When gold gets expensive, they turn to silver.

That's why the silver price massively outpaced the gold price last year, lifting 147% versus 65%.

Precious metals have become more attractive to investors due to increased geopolitics risks and a weakening US dollar.

Silver is also an industrial metal that is experiencing higher demand than usual due to the energy transition.

It's a key input in solar panels, technological devices, electric vehicles, and data centres due to its superior conductivity to copper.

Meantime, supply is constrained because silver is typically only produced as a byproduct at copper, gold, lead, and zinc mines.

Limited supply amid growing demand prompted the US to add silver to its critical minerals list last November.

Analyst views on the silver price for 2026

Let's take a look at some of the predictions in the 2026 LBMA Precious Metals Forecast Survey.

Bruce Ikemizu from the Japan Bullion Market Association (JBMA) has one of the most ambitious price targets for the silver price.

JBMA is an industry body that oversees precious metals trading in Japan.

Ikemizu predicts that the silver price could trade as high as US$160 per ounce and as low as US$65 per ounce this year.

Interestingly, the silver price fell from a record US$121 per ounce on 29 January to a low of US$67 per ounce last week during the sell-off.

Ikemizu's average annual price prediction for the year is US$120 per ounce.

The analyst comments:

In addition to the political and fiscal conditions which apply to gold, silver has its own reasons to reach much higher levels: supply and demand.

It's been more than six years of supply shortages and finally we have seen an extreme move in the liquidity of silver in 2025 which could flare up any time again in 2026 as the lease rate remains at a much higher level than gold. 

Political moves regarding silver, critical mineral status by the U.S. and export limitation by China add the fuel to the liquidity problem.

The liquidity problem is getting larger and that only leads to higher silver prices.

Julia Du of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which is the largest bank in the world by total asset value, also has an optimistic view on the silver price.

Du predicts the silver price may trade as high as US$150 per ounce, and as low as US$62 per ounce during intermittent pullbacks this year.

Her annual average tip is US$125 per ounce.

Du expects sharp fluctuations in the silver price ahead, with periods of profit-taking sending the price lower, as we've just recently seen.

She says:

I expect silver to deliver a bullish performance in 2026, supported by the same macro drivers as gold: persistent geopolitical tensions, strong safe-haven demand, and continued Fed rate cuts.

Silver's smaller market size and lower entry cost make it more volatile, attracting investors seeking alternatives to expensive gold.

Structural supply deficits – driven by robust photovoltaic and industrial demand – combined with rising jewellery and investment purchases, will amplify price swings.

Regional dislocations from potential U.S. tariffs could further tighten supply and fuel speculative spikes.

Caroline Bain from Bain Commodities has one of the more bearish outlooks on the silver price.

She tips the silver price to trade at a peak of US$85 per ounce and a trough of US$45 per ounce throughout the year.

Her average annual price prediction is US$63.50 per ounce.

Bain said:

The price of gold is expected to fall in the second half of 2026, and the silver price is likely to fall by more in percentage terms.

The smaller, less liquid, silver market typically overshoots on both the upside and downside.

That said, the price will hold up better than if the market were solely driven by its high-beta relationship with gold.

There is strong industrial demand for silver in key growth sectors including electronics, renewable energy, automotives and data centres, which will offer underlying support to prices.

China has also started restricting exports and the market is in a structural deficit. Physical stocks are low.

How are ASX silver shares performing today?

ASX silver stocks are a mixed bag on Thursday.

Diversified miner, South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), which is one of Australia's top silver producers, is up 5.7% to $4.85 per share.

Sun Silver Ltd (ASX: SS1) shares are up 2.8% to $2.01. (By the way, one expert tips a 235% rise over the next 12 months.)

Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) shares are up 6% to 89 cents.

Iltani Resources Ltd (ASX: ILT) shares are 5.9% higher at 54 cents.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) shares are down 4.2% to 23 cents and Investigator Silver Ltd (ASX: IVR) is down 6.4% to 12 cents.

The post What's the outlook for the silver price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Yesterday, ​​the price of silver jumped more than 7%, pushing it to around US$111 per ounce, near record levels.

Prices are trading near US$104 per ounce, after jumping more than 50% in the past month and 260% over the past year.

As The Motley Fool's Aaron Teboneras covered yesterday, this has been driven by a rare combination of geopolitical risk, industrial demand, and speculative momentum.

The global rise in silver prices has seen many ASX silver shares benefit. 

For example: 

• Silver Mines Limited  (ASX: SVL) is up almost 300% in the last year
• Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL) is up 134%. 

New ASX ETF targeting Silver shares

For investors looking to gain diversified exposure to this booming sector without selecting just one stock could be in luck. 

Yesterday, Global X announced the release of its newest ASX ETF. 

It will operate under the name Global X Silver Miners ETF (ASX: SLVM). 

According to the ETF provider, it provides access to a global basket of silver miners which stand to benefit from rising silver prices and being a key part of the value chain facilitating growth in photovoltaics, advanced electronics and more.

According to a report from the provider, silver has begun to re-emerge as a focal point for investors, with spot prices recently breaking above the nominal highs last seen during the Hunt Brothers–driven spike of 1980. 

This renewed strength comes at a time when silver's role in the global economy has expanded materially. Beyond its traditional monetary and store-of-value characteristics, silver has become a critical input into the energy transition and a range of advanced technologies, fundamentally reshaping demand dynamics at a time when supply has struggled to respond.

Global X currently provides pure-play physical silver exposures through Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG). 

The launch of this new silver miners ETF offers investors an alternative avenue for accessing the theme, capturing the operating leverage inherent in mining equities. 

Overview 

The ASX ETF is made up of 39 holdings, with a unique focus on silver miners, rather than a physical pure-play option.

By market capitalisation, it has a variety: 

• 72.3% large-cap
• 22% mid-cap
• 5.7% small-cap

Geographically, it has largest exposure to companies based in: 

• Canada (58.93%)
• United States (18.40%)
• Mexico (9.98%)
• South Korea (4.36%)
• Peru (4.10%)

This thematic fund comes with a management fee of 0.65% p.a. and is not currency-hedged.

The post Global X releases new ASX ETF targeting silver shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX mining shares dominate the list of companies hitting these new price milestones today.

Arguably, the most significant price peak today is for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares.

BHP reclaimed its place as the All Ords' largest share by market capitalisation from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) today.

CBA took the title from BHP in July 2024 during an unprecedented run that took it to a record $192 per share in June 2025.

The CBA share price is $150.35 on Tuesday, up 0.85%, while BHP shares are $49.66, up 2.54%, at the time of writing.

The BHP share price hit a two-year high of $50.08 this morning.

But today isn't all about BHP shares.

Plenty of other ASX All Ords shares have smashed new multi-year highs as well.

Here's a sample.

ASX All Ords shares reaching new price highs

As stated earlier, mining shares dominate the list of company highs today, so let's focus on them first.

Besides BHP, two other large-cap ASX diversified miners hit new 52-week share price highs.

The Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) share price rose 2.8% to a 52-week high of $64.05.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares hit a 52-week high of $4.54 per share, up 3.4%.

Among the ASX All Ords gold shares, Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) lifted 1.9% to a record high of $181.91.

The Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) share price soared 10.3% to a 52-week peak of $1.50.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares surged 3.5% to a record $5.09.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares increased 2.8% to a multi-year high of $8.58.

Copper and gold miner Firefly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) lifted 5.8% to a 52-week high of $2.20 per share.

Among ASX silver shares, Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) rose 12.5% to a 52-week high of 27 cents.

Canaccord Genuity sees more growth ahead for Sun Silver Ltd (ASX: SS1) shares, which rose 6.5% to a record $2.47 apiece today.

ASX All Ords lithium shares also hit new price peaks.

Shares in lithium and nickel producer IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) increased 2% to a two-year high of $9.50.

The Winsome Resources Ltd (ASX: WR1) share price lifted 11.7% to an 18-month high of 67 cents.

Hot Chili Ltd (ASX: HCH) shares soared 9.2% to a 52-week high of $1.89.

Among ASX All Ords copper shares, Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) soared 8.8% to a record $16.27 per share.

The Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) share price rose 5.8% to a four-year high of $5.67.

What about ASX All Ords shares from other sectors?

ASX All Ords retail stock Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) ascended 1.9% to a record $26.08 per share.

Engineering services company Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) lifted 3.6% to a record $30.98.

Testing and inspection services provider ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) rose 1.4% to a record $24.41.

The post ASX All Ords shares smashing 52-week highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The sharp price surge has pushed the white metal back into the global spotlight.

Prices are trading near US$104 per ounce, after jumping more than 50% in the past month and 260% over the past year. A rare combination of geopolitical risk, industrial demand, and speculative momentum is driving silver sharply higher.

A perfect storm for precious metals

Silver's surge is closely tied to the broader rally across precious metals. Gold has pushed to fresh all-time highs, and silver has followed, amplified by its smaller and less liquid market.

A major driver has been rising geopolitical risk. Escalating global tensions, renewed trade war fears, and ongoing instability across multiple regions have pushed investors back toward hard assets. At the same time, concerns about government debt levels and long-term currency weakness have strengthened the appeal of precious metals as a store of value.

Silver has also benefited from growing expectations that global central banks will eventually be forced to ease monetary policy, as markets look ahead to slower growth and softer inflation.

Industrial demand is adding fuel to the rally

Unlike gold, silver is not just a financial asset. It plays a key role in industrial applications, particularly in solar panels, electric vehicles, electronics, and data centres linked to artificial intelligence. Demand from these sectors continues to rise, even as mine supply struggles to keep up.

Supply has also been tight. The silver market has run in deficit for several years, with limited inventories and little new production coming online. As investment demand has picked up, that imbalance has become harder for the market to ignore.

Momentum and speculation take over

Speculative momentum has been another key driver behind silver's sharp rise. Retail investors have piled into silver through coins, bars, and ETFs, driven by fear of missing out.

Technical signals also point to stretched positioning, with silver trading well above key averages. Some analysts warn a pullback could occur, but momentum remains firmly in control for now.

ASX silver stocks back in focus

With prices surging, ASX-listed silver explorers and producers are attracting renewed investor interest.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) is one of the better-known names in the ASX silver space. The company focuses on acquiring and developing quality silver projects, and its share price has rallied strongly in recent months alongside the broader silver price boom. Over the past year, Silver Mines' stock performance has significantly outpaced key sectors, reflecting strong sentiment around silver's outlook.

Another company worth watching is Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL). This explorer and developer also benefits from elevated silver prices. Andean Silver's share price has shown strong moves as the silver rally gathered pace, although, like many junior miners, it can be volatile and sensitive to silver price swings.

What happens next?

While silver's run has been extraordinary, analysts remain divided on what happens next. Some see continued upside as supply deficits deepen and industrial demand expands. Others warn that the rapid rise could lead to technical corrections, especially if speculative enthusiasm fades.

Despite differing views on where silver heads next, its surge near US$104 per ounce is making 2026 a standout year.

The post Silver shoots for the stars! What's driving the white metal's stunning 260% rally appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the silver price is 3.1% higher at US$99.10 per ounce, which is a new record.

Other precious metals are also soaring as investors digest new US data showing GDP growing at its fastest pace in two years.

The gold price rose 0.5% to reach a record US$4,958 per ounce in earlier trading. Gold is up 7.4% this week and 80% year over year.

Platinum is also up 3.3% today to a record US$2,661 per ounce. Platinum has risen 6.9% this week and is up 171% year over year.

Palladium is up 2.1% to $1,969 per ounce, and has lifted 5.2% this week and 98% year over year.

Why is the silver price charging higher?

Trading Economics analysts said investors were reassessing resilient US growth alongside signs that inflation remains contained.

US GDP increased at an annual rate of 4.4% in the third quarter of 2025, according to an updated estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

This compares to a second-quarter increase of 3.8% and a first-quarter decline of 0.6%.

The BEA said:

The acceleration in real GDP in the third quarter reflected upturns in investment, exports, and government spending, as well as an acceleration in consumer spending.

Imports decreased less in the third quarter than in the second.

Regarding the impact on the silver price, Trading Economics analysts said:

While the upward revision to Q3 GDP growth to 4.4% reinforced the view that the economy remains strong and reduced the urgency for near term policy easing, recent inflation data signaled steady disinflation rather than renewed overheating, helping stabilize expectations around future policy restraint.

That balance limited downside pressure from growth resilience and allowed silver to recover, even as easing geopolitical rhetoric around Greenland tempered immediate safe haven demand.

The analysts said silver continues to benefit from persistent supply constraints in a fourth consecutive year of global supply deficits.

Silver has increased relevance in the global economy today.

It's a key input in solar panels, tech devices, electric vehicles, and data centres due to its superior electrical conductivity to copper.

Silver was the best-performing metal or mineral of 2025, rising 147% in just 12 months.

Like gold, silver and other precious metals are also seen as investment safe havens when global geopolitics and economics are uncertain.

Let's see what's happening with the few silver miners listed on the ASX today.

ASX silver shares rising strongly

ASX 200 large-cap mining share South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) hit a near three-year high of $4.46 in earlier trading, up 1.4%.

South32 owns the Cannington mine in north-west Queensland, which is one of the world's largest producers of silver and lead.

The South32 share price has since retreated to $4.36, down 0.9%.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) shares are up 5.45% to 23 cents.

The Sun Silver Ltd (ASX: SS1) share price is up 6.05% to $2.28.

Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) shares are up 4.5% to $1.05.

Iltani Resources Ltd (ASX: ILT) shares are up 7% to 70 cents apiece.

Boab Metals Limited (ASX: BML) shares are up 12.37% to 55 cents.

The Argent Minerals Limited (ASX: ARD) share price is up 12.4% to 55 cents.

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The gold price lifted more than 1% to above US$4,670 per ounce, while the silver price spiked 4% to almost US$94 per ounce.

The previous record prices were $4,635.25 per ounce for gold and $92.34 per ounce for silver — both set last week.

Gold and silver prices jump amid flight to safety

Analysts at Trading Economics said investors were flocking to safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump took his ambition to buy Greenland a step further.

Over the weekend, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from eight European nations to punish their opposition to his aspirations to acquire Greenland.

The eight nations are Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland.

On Truth Social, President Trump posted:

This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.

President Trump asserts that the US needs to own Greenland, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, for security purposes.

The tariffs would start at 10% on 1 February and rise to 25% on 1 June.

The analysts said:

European leaders discussed potential retaliatory measures, including reviving last year's plan to levy tariffs on US goods, while French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly called on fellow leaders to activate the EU's anti-coercion instrument.

The US President's unpredictable nature has created global geopolitical and economic uncertainty since he came to office a year ago.

Uncertainty makes investors nervous, leading to more conservative investment choices, such as buying precious metals.

Of the gold price, the analysts said:

Bullion has already been on a strong upward trajectory this year following a robust performance in 2025, supported by political instability in Venezuela, renewed concerns over the Federal Reserve's independence, and expectations of more US interest rate cuts.

The silver price is rebounding after weakening a little when the US announced it would not put a tariff on critical minerals.

Silver was added to the US Critical Minerals list in November due to tight supply and demand.

Demand is rising because silver is a key input in solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), and AI infrastructure like data centres.

Citi estimates that the solar industry alone is using 30% of annual silver production.

Tech device manufacturers also use silver to build circuits, connectors, and to solder metals in smartphones and laptops.

How are ASX gold and silver shares faring today?

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are up 2.8% to $27.57 at the time of writing.

The Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) share price rose 1.7% to $13.35 and reached a new record of $13.50 in earlier trading.

Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) shares are up 1.3% to $171.49 after hitting a new all-time high of $173.12 earlier.

ASX 200 diversified miner South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), one of the world's largest silver producers, is 0.8% higher at $4.20 per share.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) shares are up 8.6% to $2.21 after an announcement about Maverick Springs today.

The Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) share price is 3.4% higher at $1.08 after the company released its latest quarterly report.

The post Gold, silver hit new highs as US punishes Europe with tariffs over Greenland stance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Earlier this week, silver surged above US$92 per ounce as investors piled into safe-haven assets. Rising global tensions, uncertainty around US interest rate expectations, and trade policy risks all helped push money into precious metals like silver and gold.

But after that rapid rise, prices suddenly pulled back.

So, what changed? Let's take a closer look.

Why silver fell so quickly

The main reason for the white metal's drop was profit-taking.

After silver raced to record highs, many traders decided to lock in their gains. When prices move up very fast, it is common for investors to sell and take profits, which puts pressure on prices.

At the same time, the US government eased some short-term fears around trade policy. US President Donald Trump signalled that he would temporarily delay new tariffs on critical minerals, choosing instead to negotiate supply agreements with key trading partners.

That move reduced some of the uncertainty that had been driving safe-haven demand. With less fear in the market, investors have become less willing to keep chasing silver at record levels.

A big run still behind it

Even after the drop, silver remains well above where it was a year ago.

Silver prices have risen significantly over the past 12 months, increasing by around 186%, driven by a combination of investment demand and industrial usage. Silver is widely used in electronics, renewable energy, and electric vehicles, which has helped strengthen its long-term outlook.

What it means for ASX silver stocks

ASX silver stocks have closely followed the metal's price movements.

One of the most well-known names is Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL). The company owns the Bowdens silver project in New South Wales and is often seen as a pure play on silver prices.

Another miner to watch is Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL), which has also shown strong moves as silver prices surged and then pulled back.

It is worth remembering that junior mining stocks often move far more than the underlying commodity, both on the way up and on the way down.

Other ASX silver explorers have shown similar behaviour, with strong rallies followed by sharp pullbacks as market sentiment shifts.

What happens next?

Silver remains a volatile asset, and sharp daily moves are not unusual, especially after prices reach such extreme levels.

If global uncertainty returns or interest rate expectations shift again, silver could quickly find a stream of buyers. But in the short term, investors should expect continued ups and downs, particularly after such a historic rally.

Silver has had an incredible run, and this drop looks like a normal correction rather than panic selling. As always, prices can move fast in both directions, especially when markets are driven by news headlines.

The post Silver just tumbled 5% today. What on earth is going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Materials and energy shares are leading the ASX as the world continues the assess the implications of the US military raid on Venezuela.

Over the weekend, US forces attacked the country, which has the world's biggest oil reserves.

Soldiers captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were then flown to New York to face narco-terrorism charges.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) ripped almost 600 points overnight to close at a new record high of 49,209.95 points.

Meanwhile, on the ASX today, materials shares are leading with a 1.6% gain as investors buy more gold, silver, copper, and lithium stocks.

ASX energy shares are up 0.5% as investors ponder the potential rebuilding of Venezuela's oil infrastructure and boosted production.

Today, the Brent Crude oil price is down 0.2% to US$61.63 per barrel, while gold is up 0.4% to US$4,465 per ounce.

The silver price is up 1.26% to US$78.75 per ounce, and copper reached a new record of US$6 per pound, up 1.3%.

Here is a selection of ASX mining shares hitting new one-year high prices today.

ASX mining shares reaching new price milestones

Several major diversified miners hit new 52-week peaks today.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price rose 1.9% to a 52-week high of $47.37.

The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price increased 2.5% to a 52-week high of $153.26.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares rose 4.1% to a 52-week peak of $3.81.

The Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) share price rose 2.3% to a 52-week high of $57.10.

Several ASX gold shares and silver shares also ascended to new highs today.

The Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) share price increased 2.7% to a 52-week high of $5.76.

Bauxite and alumina producer Alcoa Corporation CDI (ASX: AAI) lifted 8.2% to a 52-week high of $91.50 per share.

Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares lifted 4% to a 52-week high of $1.80.

The Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) share price lifted 2.6% to a 52-week high of $7.84.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) shares rose 4.3% to a 52-week high of 24 cents.

ASX lithium shares also hit new price thresholds.

The PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price rose 6.3% to a 52-week high of $4.70.

Shares in lithium and nickel producer IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) increased 4.1% to a 52-week high of $8.65.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares rose 3.4% to a 52-week peak of 30 cents per share.

ASX copper shares were also in the mix after the red metal hit a record US$6 per pound.

Stock in the market's largest pure-play copper miner, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), rose 5.3% to a 52-week high of $19.43.

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price lifted 10.7% to a 52-week high of $1.87.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares lifted 4.8% to a 52-week high of $15.85.

Hot Chili Ltd (ASX: HCH) shares rose 13.3% to a 52-week high of $1.70.

The post Scores of ASX mining shares hit 52-week highs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Over the past 12 months, silver has delivered gains of more than 150%, comfortably outperforming gold and most base metals. The move has been fuelled by strong demand across key sectors, renewed safe-haven interest, and limited supply growth.

Let's take a closer look at what is fuelling this rally.

What is driving silver higher?

Silver sits in a unique position among commodities. It is both a precious metal and a key material used across a range of industries, which means demand can rise in multiple economic environments.

On one side, silver is essential for solar panels, electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage technologies. Global investment in renewable energy continues to grow, and silver demand linked to solar manufacturing remains a major structural tailwind.

At the same time, geopolitical uncertainty, inflation concerns, and expectations around interest rate cuts have increased investor demand. That has driven renewed interest in precious metals, with silver benefitting alongside gold.

Supply has also played a role. Physical silver markets remain tight, and mine supply growth has struggled to keep up with growing use across key sectors. This has helped support prices even during periods of broader market volatility.

ASX silver stocks in the spotlight

Silver's sharp rebound has flowed through to some big moves across the ASX, particularly among companies with the closest link to the silver price.

One company that stands out is Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL). Unlike most miners on the ASX, Silver Mines is a pure-play silver company. Its future is closely tied to silver prices, rather than a mix of other commodities.

The company's main asset is the Bowdens Project in New South Wales, which is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in Australia. Because Silver Mines is so heavily exposed to silver, its share price tends to move sharply when silver prices fluctuate.

Other ASX-listed miners also benefit from higher silver prices, but silver plays a much smaller role in their overall businesses. Companies like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) produce silver alongside metals such as copper, zinc, and lead.

There are also a number of smaller miners with meaningful exposure to silver, including Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) and Zimplats Holdings Ltd (ASX: ZIM). While these companies are not focused solely on silver, higher prices can still help support revenues and cash flow.

Foolish bottom line

With silver trading near record highs again, investor interest has picked up across the ASX, particularly in silver-exposed stocks.

Pure-play companies like Silver Mines move more closely with the silver price, which can lead to larger share price swings. Diversified miners tend to be less affected, with silver contributing alongside other metals.

If demand remains strong and supply stays tight, silver is likely to stay in the spotlight through 2026.

The post Silver rebounds putting ASX silver stocks back in focus appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Scores of ASX 200 mining shares benefited from rip-roaring metals and minerals prices, particularly gold, silver, copper, and lithium.

Strong central bank buying, falling interest rates, and less trust in the US dollar is supporting record gold and silver prices today.

Meanwhile, the green energy transition is showing up in raised demand for copper, lithium, and silver, which is used in solar panels.

Let's take a look at the best performing metals and minerals of 2025, and some of the ASX mining shares that ripped as a result.

12 best performing commodities of 2025

Here are the 12 strongest commodities for price growth based on Trading Economics data.

ASX mining shares riding the commodities wave

ASX gold shares ripped in 2025, with Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) the best performer of the ASX 200, up 220%.

Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) shares soared 206% and Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) stock leapt 196%.

Among the gold large-caps, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares rocketed 73%, Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) jumped 164%, and Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) increased 152%.

ASX silver shares also shot the lights out, with Andean Silver (ASX: ASL) lifting 200% and Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) leaping 182%.

The Sun Silver Ltd (ASX: SS1) share price rose 213% while Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) shares jumped 346%.

ASX lithium shares soared in 2H CY25 after lithium prices began a long-awaited recovering in July after three years of weakness.

The PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price rose 93% while lithium and nickel producer IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) lifted 72%.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares leapt 206%.

ASX copper shares also bounced, with the market's largest pure-play copper miner, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), soaring 93%.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares lifted 55%.

The iron ore price finished the year at US$107.13 per tonne, up 6.48%.

All three of the major iron ore producers rose over the year.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price increased 15% while Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares lifted 21%.

The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price increased 25%.

The post 12 best performing commodities of 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In late morning trade on Tuesday the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.2%.

But you're unlikely to find any of the Aussie silver miners in the green today.

Here's how these top ASX silver stocks are tracking at time of writing:

• Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) shares are down 4.4% at 21.5 cents
• Investigator Silver Ltd (ASX: IVR) shares are down 6.7% at 14.0 cents
• Sun Silver Ltd (ASX: SS1) shares are down 4.7% at $1.925
• Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) shares are down 7.7% at 84.0 cents
• South32 Limited (ASX: S32) shares are down 2.8% at $3.49. (South 32 has significant silver exposure from its Cannington silver mine.)

Now, despite today's losses, you shouldn't feel too sorry for stockholders of the above companies.

That's because the silver price hit new record highs of US$80 per ounce last week, putting the precious metal up 176% over 12 months.

And that's helped send the Aussie silver miners soaring.

Here's how these same ASX silver stocks have performed over the past full year, inclusive of today's intraday slide:

• Silver Mines shares are up 165.0%
• Investigator Silver shares are up 600.0%
• Sun Silver shares are up 193.9%
• Unico Silver shares are up 322.5%
• South 32 shares are up 2.9% (reflecting its more diverse mining operations)

Here's what's happening today.

ASX silver stocks flattened on silver sell-down

After the historic rally to US$80 per ounce last week, the silver price tumbled 8% overnight to currently be trading for US$72.27 per ounce.

But that sell-off shouldn't have come as any great surprise.

Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak + Co said that precious metals (the record setting gold price also has slipped more than 4%) "had become quite overbought on a short-term basis, so the fact that they're seeing some outsized declines this morning is not the end of the world at all".

Commenting on the pullback in international mining stocks, Maley added (quoted by Bloomberg), "We believe that any weakness in these names over the next week or two should create another good buying opportunity."

David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures noted (quoted by Reuters), "All the metals moved up to recent and all-time highs. We are seeing profit-taking pullbacks off of those spectacularly high levels."

But ASX silver stocks could keep shining bright in 2026.

"I believe that the underlying fundamentals of (silver) supply constraints remain factors in the market and we still have positive prospects going into 2026," Meger concluded.

The post Why are ASX silver stocks getting hammered today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The price of the metal has surged to a fresh all-time high above US$79 an ounce. That makes silver one of the best-performing commodities in 2025, outperforming gold, oil, and iron ore.

Unlike gold, silver is not just a safe-haven asset. It is widely used across industrial and technology sectors, including solar panels, electric vehicles, electronics, and energy infrastructure. Demand from these areas has been rising, while supply has stayed tight.

With silver prices pushing into record territory, investors are taking a closer look at companies that are directly exposed to the metal.

Here's one ASX small cap that offers direct exposure to silver's record-breaking run.

A rare pure-play silver stock on the ASX

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) is different from most mining stocks on the ASX.

Many miners produce silver as a side product while mainly focusing on gold, copper, or other metals. Silver Mines is a pure-play silver company. Its future is closely tied to the silver price.

That means when silver prices rise, the potential upside for the business is much more direct. There is no dilution from other commodities.

This direct exposure has helped keep the stock firmly on investor watchlists during silver's rally.

At the time of writing, the company's shares last traded at 19 cents and are up more than 140% year to date.

Bowdens remains the core project

The company's key asset is the Bowdens Silver Project in New South Wales.

Bowdens is one of the largest undeveloped silver projects in Australia. It is large enough to support a long mine life and meaningful production if it eventually moves ahead.

The project is currently going through a fresh approval process after its previous development consent was overturned by the courts. Recent updates show the company is completing additional environmental and ecological work before resubmitting its application.

Progress continues beyond Bowdens

While Bowdens works through approvals, Silver Mines is still active elsewhere.

Exploration at the Tuena project has delivered early encouraging results. It is a smaller and earlier-stage asset, but it adds optionality and shows the company is continuing to build value.

The latest quarterly update also showed the company remains well funded for now, with cash of around $43.7 million at the end of the quarter. That should be enough to keep progressing work without needing to rush back to the market.

What brokers are focusing on

Silver Mines is a small-cap stock, so broker coverage is limited.

Those who do follow it tend to highlight two things. First, the quality and scale of Bowdens, especially at current silver prices. Second, the uncertainty around timing and approvals, which remains the biggest risk.

At around 19 cents per share, Silver Mines has a market value just over $400 million. That reflects both the opportunity if silver stays strong and the risks that come with development-stage projects.

Until there is more clarity on approvals, most analysts appear content to sit on the sidelines.

Foolish takeaway

Silver's record-breaking move has brought renewed attention to the metal.

For those looking for direct exposure, Silver Mines stands out as a rare pure-play silver stock on the ASX. If silver prices remain elevated and progress at Bowdens improves, investor sentiment could shift quickly.

That said, this is not a low-risk investment. The path forward depends on approvals, timing, and being extremely patient.

For now, Silver Mines looks like a long-term option on silver rather than a stock I would chase today.

The post Silver surges to a record high. Is this ASX small-cap about to shine? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The timing really surprised investors, with silver near record highs and Silver Mines shares coming off a strong run over the past year.

So, what changed, and does this pullback create an opportunity?

Why Silver Mines shares sold off

The weakness followed an update outlining the next steps required to progress the Bowdens project in New South Wales. After the NSW Court of Appeal voided the project's previous development consent in 2024, Silver Mines has been working through the redetermination process.

Management confirmed it will need to refresh ecological surveys and prepare an updated biodiversity assessment in line with the Biodiversity Conservation Act. While this work is aimed at strengthening the application, it also extends the overall timeline.

That extension appears to be what the market is reacting to. With no near-term catalyst and further regulatory work required, some investors have chosen to step back, at least for now.

The silver price backdrop remains supportive

The sell off comes despite a very strong backdrop for silver itself. Prices have surged over the past year and recently pushed to fresh all-time highs, supported by a mix of industrial demand, investment flows, and tighter inventories.

For developers like Silver Mines, higher silver prices materially improve long term project economics. If Bowdens ultimately reaches production, the commodity environment looks far more supportive today than it did just a few years ago.

That said, commodity strength alone is rarely enough to offset regulatory uncertainty in the short term.

Bowdens remains a large, long-life asset

Bowdens is still considered one of the largest undeveloped silver projects in Australia. The resource hosts significant silver alongside gold and base metals, and recent drilling has continued to deliver high quality intersections.

While the quality of the resource has not materially changed, the timeline has. Until approvals are resolved, Bowdens remains a pre-production asset with no revenue and ongoing funding requirements.

That keeps Silver Mines among the higher risk mining stocks on the ASX.

Is this a buying opportunity?

For long term investors with a high-risk tolerance, the pullback may be worth watching. Silver Mines offers leveraged exposure to silver prices and a large-scale project in Australia.

However, this is not a stock for investors seeking certainty or income. Regulatory timelines, funding requirements, and execution risk all remain key factors.

For now, this looks less like a clear buy signal and more like a reminder of why development stage miners can be volatile. If progress on Bowdens becomes clearer, investor sentiment could shift quickly. Until then, patience may be required.

The post After a 22% fall, is now the time to buy Silver Mines shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.