Supply chain timelines

[onlyroadtoheaven]

Does anyone know if the current supply issues are caused by the mints not being open or by there not being enough raw product coming out of the ground due to mines being closed? Or perhaps from the raw product not being able to be shipped to the mints from the mining countries.

If it is the latter then how long does it take from the raw product being extracted from the mine to it being minted and available to buy from a dealer? I know that timelines are quite long in the industry (10+ years to set up a mine). 

If it is the former then I guess the royal mint would have supplies and could ramp up production pretty quick? I understand they were/are making PPE.

The spot price (silver) doesn't make sense to me as it doesn't match general economic principles of supply and demand, instead this seems to be shown in premiums.

Thanks for your views and knowledge on this. I didn't dare ask any more questions during my royal mint experience tour as I think they already thought I was a spy/potential robber with all the questions I asked.