noun
silver mine; silver ore
Refers both to a mine where silver is extracted and to the silver-bearing ore itself. Context usually makes the intended meaning clear.
この地域には古い銀鉱がいくつか残っている。
Several old silver mines remain in this area.
銀鉱から銀を精錬する技術が発達した。
Techniques for refining silver from silver ore developed.
Compound of 銀 (gin, 'silver') and 鉱 (kō, 'ore' or 'mine'). The reading ぎんこう follows standard on'yomi.