Economic Settings: Processing Costs

To access this screen:

  1. Display the Economic Settings screen.

  2. Select an ore type's processing method.

  3. Click Parameters.

Manage the processing costs for the previously defined processing methods for the selected ore type.

This tab will be shown alongside all currently defined product recovery tabs, with each product identified by a relevant description (for example, 'AU', 'CU' and so on).

Note: This information relates to the Costs tab, not the Product Recovery tabs that appear at the top of the screen.

Activity steps:

  1. Display the Parameters screen for the appropriate product.

    The Costs tab displays by default.

  2. Enter the Processing cost. This is either a dollar amount per rock mass unit or set according to a formula.

    Note: If the processing method is defined as Underground alternative, the Mining Cost for that rock type is ignored, so this value should always include the mining cost.

  3. Enter Unit cost, a dollar amount per unit.

  4. To define a formula instead of an explicit cost amount, click Set Formula.

    Note: When you define a formula for the first time the button is labelled Set Formula. Thereafter it is labelled Edit Formula.

    Note: In some cases, formulae may not work properly if the decimal symbol is set to comma (,) rather than period (.) in the Windows Regional settings.

  5. Is the method being defined for underground alternative? Choose from:

    • Above Ground – Use above ground method.

    • Underground – To consider an underground mining method as an alternative to open pit, you must designate at least one method for at least one rock type as using the underground method.

      In the underground alternative, the Economic Model only considers ore that is economic to mine above ground. Normally, if ore is not economic in open pit, it won't be economic when mining underground where costs are invariably higher.

      Note: Providing at least one processing method is defined as underground, you will have the option to use the underground alternative ultimate pit calculation method on the Pit Optimization Settings screen.

  6. To modify the tonnages and grades, you must select the This method modifies tonnages and grades and click Parameters to configure Concentrator Tonnage and Grade Modifications settings.

  7. Continue defining the destination properties and click OK to return to the Economic Settings screen.

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