Silver used in water purification

Another key use for Silver is in the millions of water purifiers that are sold each year. Silver prevents bacteria and algae from building up in their filters. Research has shown that the catalytic action of silver, in concert with oxygen, provides a powerful sanitizer that virtually eliminates the need for the use of corrosive chlorine.

Source: http://www.silverinstitute.org/site/

China is the world's third largest Silver miner, after Mexico and Peru, and is also the world's largest refiner of Silver.