Shares of some top silver companies are up at noon:
Hecla Mining rose $.37 or 7.0 percent, to $5.62.
Pan American Silver rose $.92 or 4.1 percent, to $23.46.
Silver Standard rose $.44 or 2.3 percent, to $19.56.
Silver Wheaton rose $.73 or 5.2 percent, to $14.76.