Dilution and Ore Loss Quick Calculator Mining Tools
Quick check
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Dilution and Ore Loss Quick Calculator

Estimate dilution and ore loss from planned width, mined width, and boundary split error.

This quick calculator is for underground mining, short-term planners, and engineers who need a fast first check. It stays width-based instead of trying to solve a full optimization problem.

Compare planned width, mined width, and boundary split in one view Supports m / ft / cm / mm / in Accepts both decimal points and decimal commas Copy results for meeting notes and handoff

How to use

  1. Enter the planned width.
  2. Use mined width for a simple check, or turn on boundary split mode when you want overbreak and underbreak shown separately.
  3. Choose the unit and decimal settings to match the way your team reports widths and percentages.
  4. Copy the result or share the current state by URL when you need to hand it off.

Examples

Simple overbreak example

P=3.00 m, A=3.30 m
Output
Dilution 9.09%, ore loss 0.00%, ore recovery 100.00%

Boundary split example

P=3.00 m, A=3.10 m, O=0.20 m, U=0.10 m
Output
Dilution 6.45%, ore loss 3.33%, mismatch 0.00 m

Imperial example

P=10 ft, A=10.5 ft
Output
Dilution 4.76%, ore loss 0.00%, ore recovery 100.00%

Glossary

Dilution

The share of waste or unwanted material mixed into the mined width.

Ore loss

The share of ore that should have been mined but was left behind.

Overbreak

The extra width taken on the waste side beyond the plan.

Underbreak

The missing width on the ore side when the face is not opened as planned.

Boundary split

A way of separating overbreak and underbreak so the field check is easier to read.

Formulas

  • Simple mode: delta = A - P
  • Simple mode: dilution = max(0, A - P) / A × 100
  • Simple mode: ore loss = max(0, P - A) / P × 100
  • Boundary mode: ore recovered = max(0, P - U)
  • Boundary mode: waste included = max(0, O)
  • Boundary mode: dilution = waste included / (ore recovered + waste included) × 100
  • Boundary mode: ore loss = min(100, U / P × 100)

FAQ

When should I use boundary split mode?
Use it when you can separate overbreak and underbreak. If you only know mined width, simple mode is enough.
What if actual width and the boundary split do not match?
The tool shows a mismatch warning and keeps the cross-check visible. Recheck the split or the measurement.
Can I enter decimal commas?
Yes. The input parser accepts both decimal points and decimal commas.
Can ore recovery go below 0%?
No. Recovery is clamped to the 0% to 100% range so the quick check stays stable.
Is this a substitute for reconciliation or planning software?
No. It is a first-pass calculator for quick checks, not a full reconciliation or optimization tool.

Notes

  • This is a width-based quick check. It does not replace block models, detailed stope design, or reconciliation workflows.
  • Enter all widths in the same unit before comparing them.
  • If underbreak exceeds the planned width, ore recovery is clamped to 0% and a warning is shown.
  • The calculations stay in your browser and are not sent to a server.