What mineral is identified as the ore containing silver?

Galena is recognized as the primary ore that contains silver, primarily in the form of argentite, which is a silver sulfide (Ag2S) embedded within it. Galena itself is primarily composed of lead sulfide (PbS), but it commonly contains significant amounts of silver that can be extracted through smelting processes.

The association of silver with galena occurs because during the formation of galena deposits, silver can be included in the crystal structure, leading to a mineral that is both a significant source of lead and a valuable source of silver. This characteristic makes galena the correct choice when identifying a mineral as an ore of silver.

In contrast, quartz, hematite, and chalcopyrite do not serve as significant sources of silver. Quartz is primarily a silica mineral without notable metal content, hematite is an iron ore, and chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide that primarily yields copper rather than silver. This distinction further highlights galena's unique role in silver extraction.