I saw the graphs of some silver mining stocks and it seems to just follow silver price, why don't just buy silver then?

Mini stocks were traditionally used as way to invest in asset as a security. But currently with all the ETFs that are backed with physical asset itself, I'd choose that way.

Holding asset yourself (gold) causes logistical issues and massive buy/sell split on your side, but it has some advantages too.

Mining stock are lagging, so they have the highest to go right now.