Mining budgeting
MINE PRODUCTION COST PER TON CALCULATOR
Cost per tonne is the single number that decides whether a small mine is viable. This tool builds it bottom-up from every operating line.
Three cost-per-ton metrics
Cost/t mined = total opex ÷ tonnes mined (ore + waste). Cost/t processed = (mining + processing opex) ÷ tonnes through the plant. Cost/t sold = total opex ÷ payable metal sold.
What drives it
Strip ratio, fuel burn per machine, labour productivity, recovery and payable % all push or pull cost/t. The tool sensitises each one.
Worked example
Opex $720 k/month, 25,000 t mined (15k ore + 10k waste), 15,000 t processed, 200 t Cu payable sold → $28.8/t mined, $48/t processed, $3,600/t Cu sold.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include depreciation?
The tool separates cash cost from accounting cost. Depreciation is shown but excluded from cash cost/tonne.