-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EGhKxHh+lRUcNgsjaxF32EUGWu7wqgRgvHgBdbzzmS5Pqf4KVxv0MJ88VKObmZsw
 PZMtB07ti5bsNT6ZIT+rhQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001203746-03-000005.txt : 20030822
<SEC-HEADER>0001203746-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20030822
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030822165013
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001203746-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030820
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030822

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SOROS PAUL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203746

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13627
		FILM NUMBER:		03862999

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		APEX SILVER MINES CORP.
		STREET 2:		1700 LINCOLN STREET
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APEX SILVER MINES LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001011509
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	GOLD & SILVER ORES [1040]
		IRS NUMBER:				841363747
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CALEDONIAN HOUSE MARY STREET
		STREET 2:		GEORGETOWN BWI
		CITY:			GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3038395060

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CALEDONIAN HOUSE MARY STREET
		STREET 2:		GEORGETOWN BWI
		CITY:			GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-20</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001011509</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>APEX SILVER MINES LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SIL</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203746</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SOROS PAUL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>888 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>32ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10106</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>7527</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.20</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>351466</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipN
ature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1540</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.22</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>349926</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value
>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>567</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.24</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>349359</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equityS
wapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>7967</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.25</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>341392</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1436</value></transactionShares><transactio
nPricePerShare><value>17.26</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>339956</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1969</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.27</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCod
e></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>337987</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3011</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.28</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>334976</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTr
ansactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>4945</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.29</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>330031</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfO
wnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3312</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.30</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>326719</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><t
ransactionDate><value>2003-08-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>961</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.23</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>325758</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>240590</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNat
ure><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See footnotes</value><footnoteId id="F1"/><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The 240,590 ordinary shares, $0.01 par value per share of the Issuer (the &quot;Ordinary Shares&quot;) reported herein are held for the account of VDM, Inc., a Delaware corporation (&quot;VDM&quot;).  The Reporting Person is the sole shareholder and sole director of VDM and in such capacity may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the Ordinary Shares held for the account of VDM.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The filing of this statement shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any securities not held directly  for his account for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Pa
ul Soros</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-22</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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