Mass Conversions
Mass values are converted internally through kilograms, making it possible to move between metric tonnes, short tons, pounds, grams, and troy ounces.
Resource Conversion Tool
Resource Unit Converter
Convert common mining, mineral, metal, and natural-resource units including metric tonnes, short tons, kilograms, pounds, grams, troy ounces, percent, grams per tonne, ppm, and ppb.
Convert Units
Unit Conversion
Convert Resource Units
Enter the quantity or grade value you want to convert.
Choose the unit currently used in the source data.
Mass conversions:
Convert between metric tonnes, short tons, kilograms,
pounds, grams, and troy ounces.
Conversion Results
Mass Conversion
Equivalent values based on the selected starting unit.
Starting Value
—
Conversion type
Mass
Starting unit
Metric tonne
Quick Reference
Common Resource Unit Conversions
These relationships appear frequently in mining reports, mineral-resource estimates, precious-metal data, and commodity analysis.
Metric Tonne to Kilograms
1 t = 1,000 kg
The metric tonne is widely used for ore, concentrate, and contained-resource quantities.
Metric Tonne to Pounds
1 t ≈ 2,204.62 lb
Useful when comparing metric resource quantities with pound-based commodity pricing.
Troy Ounce to Grams
1 oz t ≈ 31.1035 g
The troy ounce is commonly used for precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum.
Short Ton to Kilograms
1 short ton ≈ 907.185 kg
Short tons still appear in some U.S. mining, industrial, and commodity datasets.
Percent to ppm
1% = 10,000 ppm
Percent is generally used for larger concentrations, while ppm is common for lower grades.
ppm to ppb
1 ppm = 1,000 ppb
Parts per billion is useful for trace-element and geochemical concentrations.
g/t to ppm
1 g/t = 1 ppm
For mass concentration in metric tonnes, grams per tonne and ppm are numerically equivalent.
Percent to g/t
1% = 10,000 g/t
Different unit formats can represent the same underlying concentration.
How It Works
Convert Through a Common Base Unit
The converter normalizes each value to a common reference before displaying the equivalent result in other units.
Grade Conversions
Percent, grams per tonne, ppm, and ppb are converted through an equivalent mass fraction so the same concentration can be expressed in several forms.
Resource Context
Different commodities use different reporting conventions. Copper may be shown as a percentage while gold is commonly reported in grams per tonne.
Reference Guide
Common Units Used in Resource Data
Understanding the unit matters because the same resource quantity or concentration can look very different depending on how it is reported.
| Unit | Symbol | Common Use | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metric tonne | t | Ore, concentrate, contained metal | 1,000 kg |
| Short ton | ton | U.S. mining and industrial data | 907.18474 kg |
| Kilogram | kg | General resource mass | 1,000 g |
| Pound | lb | Copper and base-metal pricing | 0.45359237 kg |
| Troy ounce | oz t | Precious metals | 31.1034768 g |
| Percent | % | Base-metal and bulk mineral grades | 1% = 10,000 ppm |
| Grams per tonne | g/t | Gold and precious-metal grades | 1 g/t = 1 ppm |
| Parts per million | ppm | Trace and lower-grade concentrations | 1 ppm = 1,000 ppb |
| Parts per billion | ppb | Very low concentration and geochemical data | 1 ppb = 0.001 ppm |
Important Context
Unit Conversion Does Not Change the Underlying Resource
Changing units only changes the way a quantity is expressed. It does not alter the physical amount of material, its grade, recovery, market value, or economic significance.
01
Metric vs U.S. Units
Mining and commodity datasets may mix metric tonnes, short tons, kilograms, and pounds.
02
Troy vs Standard Ounces
Precious metals use the troy ounce, which differs from the standard avoirdupois ounce used for many everyday goods.
03
Grade Reporting
The same concentration may be reported as percent, g/t, ppm, or ppb depending on the commodity and context.
04
Rounding
Published datasets may use rounded figures, so converted results can vary slightly from independently reported totals.
05
Source Definitions
Always check the definitions used by the original geological, government, company, or market source.
06
Economic Meaning
A unit conversion alone does not indicate whether a deposit, resource, or commodity position is economically valuable.
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Educational Use
This converter performs standard mathematical unit conversions. Results may be rounded for readability. Always verify the original unit definitions and reporting conventions when using geological, technical, market, or regulatory data.
Earth Value Index
Make Resource Data Easier to Read
Use Earth Value Index calculators, resource profiles, and reference guides to understand the quantities, grades, values, and materials behind the world's natural resources.