Strip Ratio
OperationalRatio of waste rock to ore that has to be moved in open-pit mining.
Detail
Strip Ratio = tonnes waste rock ÷ tonnes ore. In open-pit mining, waste rock has to be removed to reach the ore body. Strip Ratio 1:1 = for every tonne of ore, 1 tonne of waste is moved (good). 8:1 = very high stripping effort (problematic when grade is low). Strip ratio typically increases over the mine life — initially shallow, easy-to-access parts of the ore body are mined, later deeper parts with more overburden. High strip ratio + low grade is the most common combination behind unprofitable open-pit projects.
Related Terms
- Open-Pit vs Underground
Two fundamentally different mining methods with different cost and grade profiles.
- Grade (g/t)
Concentration of the target metal per tonne of ore, measured in grams per tonne.
- AISC (All-In Sustaining Cost)
Total cost of production per ounce, including sustaining CapEx and G&A.
See Strip Ratio in a Mineralis profile.
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