Silver Standard Resources TSX:SSO NASDAQ:SSRI is a mineral production and exploration company that holds interests in tin, zinc, silver, gold, lead and copper containing assets. The Vancouver, Canada based company was founded in 1946, known as Silver Standard Mines Limited until 1979, Consolidated Silver Standard Mines Limited until 1990 and Silver Standard Resources, Inc. since then. It oversees the development of projects in Argentina (Pirquitas), Peru (San Luis, Berenguela), Mexico (Veta Colorada, San Marcial both 100%, San Agustin), Canada (Sunrise Lake NWT 100%, Duthie Property), Chile (Challacollo), the United States (Maverick Springs 55%, Candelaria) and Australia (Bowdens, 100% through GSM Exploration) 2011. It started producing in the fourth quarter of 2010 when Pirquitas (mine and mill) began operating. In 2010 Silver Standard produced 6.302 million ounces of silver all at the Pirquitas mine, ended the year with 285.5 million ounces of proven and probable silver reserves at its 14 properties (993.3 million ounces measured and indicated, 403.6 million ounces inferred).^[1][2]

Former CEO Robert Quartermain launched one of Canada's newest precious metals company (focused on gold), Pretium Resources Inc. on December 21, 2010 after raising US$260 million in its IPO. At the time Pretium's two main properties were ones that it purchased from Silver Standard for Cdn$215 million, Cdn$39.8 million promissory note and 32.5 million common shares.^[3] Silver Standard currently owns 42.31% of Pretium Resources.^[4]

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