What is value-per-tonne (rock value) in a drill intercept?

Value-per-tonne (sometimes "rock value" or "in-situ value") multiplies each metal's grade by its market price and sums them, giving the gross dollar value contained in a tonne of mineralised rock. It lets you compare a copper intercept with a gold one, or value a polymetallic hit (gold + silver + copper) on a single basis.

Example: one tonne grading 2 g/t gold at $2,000/oz contains roughly $129 of gold; add 1% copper at $4.00/lb (about $88) and the rock value is around $217/t.

Two important caveats. First, value-per-tonne is gross, not net — it ignores recovery (you never extract 100%), processing cost, and payability. Second, prices move, so the figure is a snapshot. It is a screening tool, not a valuation. Strikepoint News's drill calculator computes value-per-tonne and gram-metres for any reported intercept across 18 metals using live spot prices.