Calculation of the Net Smelter Return (NSR) of a Mine

Abstract

As a rule, a mine produces concentrates. In rare cases it mines rich ore which can be shipped directly. In some cases price quotations for concentrates and ore are available, i.e. iron ore, tungsten, and antimony concentrates or “yellow cake”⁶, U₃O₈, the end product of uranium mines. These quotations are supplied by the price lists of the weekly “Metal Bulletin”, the “Engineering and Mining Journal”, the “Mining Magazine”, or numerous web pages. Generally these prices are quoted in “units”, with 1 unit (1 u) being 1% of the metal in the concentrate (see Sect. 1.1.4). From this the net smelter return of the mine (abbreviated NSR) can easily be derived.