DEI Document	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020 shares
Document Information [Abstract]
Document Type	40-F
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Entity Registrant Name	PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000771992
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	210,258,667

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End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

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The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.

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The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Document Information [Abstract]

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