QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARIES

NAME	JURISDICTION OF FORMATION
Apex Luxembourg S.a r.l.	Luxembourg
Apex Silver Mines Sweden AB	Sweden
Apex Metals Marketing GmbH (65% owned by Registrant)	Switzerland
ASM Services S.a r.l.	Luxembourg
Minera San Cristobal S.A. (65% owned by Registrant)	Bolivia
Apex Silver Mines Corporation	Delaware
Apex Silver Finance Ltd. (65% owned by Registrant)	Cayman Islands

QuickLinks

SUBSIDIARIES