Despite the development of new techniques of ore treatment, the estimate of reserves is still an important part in the evaluation process. This paper shows the formalism of the recovery functions (grade versus tonnage curves) with the objective of emphasizing the effects that come from mining activity, such as: the support effect and the information effect. Pratics exemples, however academic, are shown. The study of the support effect and information effect, considering that the selection of blocks is done without restrictions (free selection), showed that change in support and in taking of decision on estimate values degrade the grade/tonnage curves significantly, in the sense of economic loss.
support effect; information effect; grade; reserves parameterization
