Calculate Fine-Gold Recovery
Separate assay content from refining yield.
Recovery rate measures the fraction of contained gold recovered. It is not the same as final product purity.
Gold Refining Recovery Formula
Recovered Gold = Contained Gold × Recovery %
Unrecovered Gold = Contained Gold − Recovered Gold
Final Product Weight = Recovered Gold ÷ Final Purity
The first step determines how much fine gold is theoretically present in the feed. The recovery rate is then applied to that contained amount.
Recovery Rate vs Gold Purity
These two measurements answer different questions. Assay estimates how much gold is in the feed. Recovery estimates how much of that gold is successfully recovered. Final purity describes the composition of the recovered product.
Worked Example
Consider a 1,000 g feed containing 75% gold with an expected refining recovery of 98%.
Recovered Gold = 750 × 98% = 735 g
Unrecovered Gold = 750 − 735 = 15 g
If the recovered product were 99.9% pure, its total product mass would be slightly higher than 735 g because the product would contain a small amount of material other than fine gold.
Why Assay Accuracy Matters
Recovery calculations depend on the estimated gold content in the feed. An incorrect assay produces an incorrect contained-gold estimate, which then propagates into the recovered-gold calculation.
Recovery Is Not a Guaranteed Production Result
Actual recovery varies with material composition, refining method, process conditions, sampling, handling and measurement. This tool should therefore be treated as a planning and accounting estimate rather than a guaranteed refinery result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gold refining recovery?
It is the proportion of contained recoverable gold successfully recovered into the output.
How is recovered fine gold calculated?
Multiply feed weight by assay to obtain contained gold, then multiply by the recovery rate.
What is the difference between assay and recovery rate?
Assay describes starting gold content while recovery describes how much of that content is recovered.
Does 95% recovery mean the final product is 95% pure?
No. Recovery and product purity are separate measurements.
Can this calculator guarantee refinery recovery?
No. Actual performance depends on the material and process.