Work out mineral recovery rate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
The two-product formula computes recovery from assays alone: recovery = c(f - t) / (f(c - t)), where f, c and t are feed, concentrate and tailings grades. Mass pull, the fraction of feed reporting to concentrate, is (f - t)/(c - t). No weighing of streams is needed, which is why assays alone can close a plant balance.
Two-product formula
Recovery % = c x (f - t) x 100 / (f x (c - t))
Mass pull
Mass pull % = (f - t) x 100 / (c - t)
It is the direct measure of metal lost. Halving tailings grade from 0.12% to 0.06% on a 1.2% feed lifts recovery by around 5 percentage points, worth far more than most throughput gains.
The two-product formula no longer applies and a three-product formula or a full least-squares mass balance using stream tonnages and multiple assays is required.