(Washington, D.C. – June 6, 2013) Fernando Alanis, CEO of Industrias Peñoles, S.A.B. de C.V. (PE&OLES: MX), the world´s largest producer of refined silver, based in Mexico, was elected President of the Silver Institute by its membership. He succeeds Geoff Burns, President and CEO of Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS: NASDAQ), whose term as the Silver Institute’s President ended on May 31. Mitchell Krebs, President, CEO and a Director of Coeur Mining (CDE: NYSE – CDM: TSX) was elected Vice President of the Institute, succeeding Mr. Alanis in this role. Coeur Mining, Inc., is one of the world’s largest primary silver producers, with assets in the United States, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and Australia. Both men will serve a two-year term.
“Fernando and Mitchell are recognized silver industry leaders and the Institute is fortunate to have them at the helm guiding our work,” said Michael DiRienzo, Executive Director of the Silver Institute. He continued, “We are grateful for the dedicated service of Geoff Burns as the Institute’s President the past two years. Geoff’s vision and dedication made a considerable difference to the Institute, and we are indebted to him for his service.”
The Silver Institute is a nonprofit international industry association headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1971, the Institute’s members include leading silver producers, prominent silver refiners, manufacturers and dealers. The Institute serves as the industry’s voice in increasing public understanding of the value and many uses of silver, and also creates programs across many platforms that benefit the white metal. One such effort is the Silver Promotion Service, which is designed to enhance the image of and increase demand for sterling silver jewelry. The Institute also publishes the World Silver Survey, the most authoritative annual report on the global silver market. For more information on the Silver Institute please visit www.silverinstitute.org.