I've never believed that there is a true shortage of silver. It seems to be a common metal, generally obtained as a byproduct of mining for every other metal. For that reason, silver has been cheap and virtually no one was mining for it in particular just a few years ago.
Now, however, the price is elevated and quite a few silver mines have opened. I don't think the above-ground shortage is likely to persist.
But (LOL!) I've (theoretically at least, so far as you guys know) got some silver! If its price spikes from here, I won't be complaining!