How does the copper equivalent grade calculation affect mine planning decisions?

The copper equivalent grade calculation affects mine planning decisions by providing a standardized measure of the economic value of ore containing multiple metals, allowing for optimized pit design, ore scheduling, and cut-off grade determination. Copper equivalent grade is a calculation that converts the grades of other valuable metals in an orebody (such as gold, silver, molybdenum, etc.) into an equivalent grade of copper, based on their relative prices and recoveries. This allows for a single value to represent the total economic value of the ore, even when it contains multiple metals. The copper equivalent grade calculation is used to determine the economic viability of mining different parts of the orebody. Areas with higher copper equivalent grades are more profitable to mine, while areas with lower copper equivalent grades may be uneconomic. The copper equivalent grade is used to optimize the pit design. The pit limits are designed to maximize the amount of ore that can be mined at a profitable copper equivalent grade. The copper equivalent grade is also used to schedule the mining of different parts of the orebody. High-grade areas are typically mined first to generate early cash flow, while lower-grade areas may be mined later in the mine life. The copper equivalent grade is used to determine the cut-off grade for the ore. The cut-off grade is the minimum copper equivalent grade that is economically viable to mine. Ore with a grade below the cut-off grade is considered waste and is sent to the waste dump. The copper equivalent grade calculation allows for more informed decision-making regarding which parts of the orebody to mine, when to mine them, and how to process them to maximize profitability.