As producers react to weak Chinese demand by slashing output of copper, zinc and lead, a side effect is silver prices are getting a boost as less of the precious metal is unearthed. Production will fall this year for the first time in more than a decade, say Societe Generale SA and Standard Chartered Plc.

As a result of such actions, Societe Generale sees mined supply of silver down 9.2 percent this year. The bank estimates it will drop again next year to 23,600 metric tons, or 13 percent less than was mined in 2015.