Volume 15, Issue 2 p. 165-168

Decreasing Metal Ore Grades

Are They Really Being Driven by the Depletion of High-Grade Deposits?

James West

James West

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Canberra, Australia

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First published: 21 March 2011
Citations: 65
Address correspondence to:
Jim West
Social and Economic Sciences Program
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences
Gungahlin Homestead, Bellenden St., Crace A.C.T, GPO Box 284, Canberra A.C.T. 2601, Australia
[email protected]

This massive decrease in copper ore grades was not driven by depletion of higher grade deposits with resulting higher copper prices. It was instead a direct result of innovation that converted massive supplies of previously worthless “waste” rock into valuable ore.

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