The feasibility of the ore deposit is evaluated by appraising it for its usability in metallurgy, ore recoverability, marketability and concentration. Factors such as engineering concerns, infrastructure costs, finance and equity requirements are taken into account as well. An analysis of the proposed mine is conducted from the initial excavation all the way through to the mine closure.
Value is maximised by a number of investment and scheduling alternatives, such as equipment sizes and placement, ore definition (cut-off grade determination), method of mining and the sequences of ore and waste-rock removal. Mine-planning software is used for pit designs and production scheduling with prominence given to slope stability.