"To help fund these programs, the company recently tapped the capital markets for a cool $48million in equity financing. Here's a rundown of how and where the recent funding will be spent.

"The 100%-owned Pirquitas Mine in Argentina is key to Silver Standard's transition from a resource-bank to a producer. Mine production is now ramping up following a series of start-up issues that are now largely resolved.

"When all the wrinkles are worked out, Pirquitas will be among the largest open-pit primary silver mines in the world, with average annual production of 10.9 million ounces. For 2009, though, the mine will produce about three million ounces of silver before it hits full stride in 2010.

"In Peru, a feasibility study for the San Luis Project should be completed in the third quarter of 2009. At the Pitarrilla Project in Mexico, Silver Standard recently completed a pre-feasibility study.

"And at the Diablillos Project in Argentina, Silver Standard recently updated the resource estimate for the Oculto Zone, one of 11 zones on the property.

"Proving that the rich get richer, the company recently announced the discovery of a new target, dubbed the Bridge Zone, at Snowfield -- a gold project 20 kilometers southeast of Barrick's high-grade gold-silver mine at Eskay Creek in northwestern British Columbia.

"Outside of these priority projects. Silver Standard has 10 more in the pipeline, and I expect the company to continue advancing these with the same level of success it has previously enjoyed.

"And that's the bottom line with this company: It began as a great idea - a way for silver bugs to directly leverage a rise in prices with a pure-silver exploration company. (It may seem hard to believe, but 15 years ago no such thing existed.)

"We have seen over the years that Silver Standard and its talented team has faithfully advanced the business plan throughout the market's sometimes painful oscillations, never failing to build shareholder value over the long term.

"Because of this track record, I continue to confidently recommend Silver Standard as a foundational holding for any diversified resource stock portfolio. The record shows that if you patiently accumulate this company on price dips, you'll enjoy rich returns over the long term."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a free daily overview of the favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.