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SILVER ORE VALUE CALCULATOR
Estimate the USD value of a silver ore lot from grade in grams per tonne, recovery and the buyer's payable % against the LBMA silver price.
How silver ore value is calculated
Gross silver value = tonnes × grade (g/t) × recovery × payable %, valued at LBMA silver in USD per troy ounce (1 troy oz = 31.1034768 g).
Typical silver payable terms
Refiners pay 95–98 % on silver dore and 65–75 % on silver in copper/lead concentrate after a minimum deductible (usually 30 g/t).
Worked example
500 t × 200 g/t × 0.85 × 0.97 × ($29 / 31.1034768) = $76,816
Key assumptions
- LBMA silver price, USD/troy oz
- Minimum deductible 30 g/t for concentrates
Frequently asked questions
Why is silver payable lower in concentrate?
Smelters apply a fixed silver deductible (commonly 30 g/t) before paying — only silver above the deductible is paid, multiplied by the payable ratio.
What's a good silver ore grade?
Primary silver mines run at 150–500 g/t Ag. As a by-product in lead/zinc, 30–100 g/t is common.