Contained Silver vs Recovered Silver

What this topic covers

Why metal in the ore is not the same as metal ultimately produced.

Core mine-to-refinery ideas

Contained silver represents the theoretical amount present in measured material.

Recovery accounts for silver that actually reaches a concentrate, dore or refined product.

Losses can occur in mining dilution, processing residues, tailings, slag, solutions and handling.

Important tradeoffs

Mineralogy and associated metals determine which treatment route is appropriate.

Measurement and accounting

Contained metal, recovered metal and refined product are different accounting quantities.

Lifecycle perspective

This site ends at refined silver; downstream industrial applications are covered by the companion silver-use site.