Douglas B. Silver

2025 MMSA Gold Medalist

Douglas B. Silver was awarded the 2025 MMSA Gold Medal for exceptional contributions to the U.S. and global mining industry through extensive research projects focused on advancing mineral economic valuations, public company financing and transaction analysis, and economic trend assessments. His research has been presented in countless professional conferences and industry journals as well as expert testimony before US House of Representatives and Senate subcommittees. He is also notable for his entrepreneurial spirit encompassing the founding and revitalization of several royalty companies. Equally importantly, he has devoted considerable time to professional organizations, for example, as one of the founders of the Denver Gold Group; as well as university programs such as the University of Arizona and the Colorado School of Mines. He is also recognized for his strong commitment to mentoring other professionals and students.

Mr. Silver has had a wide-ranging career in the minerals industry, ranging from prospecting geologist to founding portfolio manager for the world’s largest mining private equity firm. He was a member of the team that discovered the Silver Creek porphyry molybdenum deposit in Colorado and subsequently built several public companies. Mr. Silver’s expertise in mineral royalties is a result of constructing two giant portfolios and selling them for CAD$1.9 billion. In September 2018, Douglas was inducted into the U.S. National Mining Hall of Fame. In May 2023, he was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame and is one of only three people to be inducted into both Halls of Fame. Today, he is a well-known mineral economist, keynote speaker, lecturer, author and fly fisherman.