What is a stripping ratio?

The stripping ratio (SR) is the ratio of waste material removed to ore recovered, expressed as waste:ore. An SR of 3:1 means 3 tonnes (or cubic meters) of waste must be moved for every 1 tonne of ore mined.

What is a good stripping ratio?

It depends on the commodity and mining cost. For gold mines, SRs up to 8:1 or higher can be economic. For bulk commodities like coal or iron ore, ratios above 4:1–6:1 often become marginal. There is no universal threshold — always compare against the break-even SR for your operation.

What is the break-even stripping ratio (BESR)?

The BESR is the maximum SR at which mining remains profitable. It equals (ore revenue per tonne minus ore mining cost per tonne) divided by the waste mining cost per tonne. If the actual SR exceeds the BESR, the block is uneconomic.

Volume vs. tonnage — which should I use?

Use volume (m³ or yd³) when you have block model volumes or geological cross-sections. Use tonnage when drill-hole assay databases and density values are available. Both give the same SR if consistent densities are applied to both waste and ore.

What is the overall vs. instantaneous stripping ratio?

The overall SR considers the entire life-of-mine volume. The instantaneous (or periodic) SR is calculated for a specific bench, pushback, or time period. The overall SR is used for feasibility; the instantaneous SR drives short-term scheduling decisions.

Does a higher density waste affect the ratio?

Yes. If waste and ore have different densities, the volume-based SR and tonnage-based SR will differ. For accurate cost estimation, use tonnage-based inputs when densities are well-characterized.

Stripping Ratio Calculator

Name: Stripping Ratio Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Calculate the stripping ratio for open-pit mines by entering waste and ore volumes or tonnages to assess economic viability.

Inputs

Input Mode

Unit

Waste (Overburden) Quantity

m³

Ore Quantity

m³

Break-Even Stripping Ratio (optional)

Enter cost/revenue data to compute your BESR and compare against the actual SR.

Net Ore Revenue (per tonne or unit)

Ore Mining Cost (per tonne or unit)

Waste Mining Cost (per tonne or unit)

Enter waste and ore quantities, then click Calculate.

Copied!

Summary

Calculate the stripping ratio for open-pit mines by entering waste and ore volumes or tonnages to assess economic viability.

How it works

Choose your input mode: volume-based (cubic meters / cubic yards) or mass-based (tonnes / short tons).
Enter the total quantity of waste (overburden) that must be excavated.
Enter the total quantity of ore (pay material) to be mined.
Click Calculate to see the stripping ratio, break-even analysis, and an interpretation of viability.
Review the results panel for the SR value, classification, and contextual benchmarks.
Adjust inputs to compare scenarios and find your break-even stripping ratio.

Use cases

Pre-feasibility studies for open-pit mine design.
Comparing multiple deposit scenarios to rank economic viability.
Pit optimization: determining the economic pit limit.
Teaching and training for mining engineering students.
Quick desktop checks during exploration drilling programs.
Sensitivity analysis for changing commodity prices or mining costs.
Environmental impact assessments requiring waste-to-ore volume ratios.
Reporting stripping ratios to investors or regulatory agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu