Choosing a Silver Recovery System,
Supplier and Refiner
MAY 1998
In conventional photography, the silver in the film and paper makes
it possible to record an image. During processing the silver is
dissolved and remains in the photographic solutions until it is
recovered.
Recovering silver makes sense for several reasons:
1. It is a nonrenewable resource. As one of the world’s largest
users of silver, the photographic industry depends upon continuing reserves of silver.
2. It has economic value. The silver you recover can be sold to
a refiner, usually for a profit.
3. It is a regulated substance that can be discharged to the drain
provided it meets applicable local or provincial limits.
When it comes to silver recovery, photo processors are often
faced with making important decisions while having only minimal
information. This bulletin examines some of the questions for you to
ask when choosing a silver recovery system, equipment supplier
and silver refiner. We’ve also provided worksheets to help you
determine the Return On Investment (ROI) for three silver recovery
options.
Should I purchase silver recovery
equipment for my photo lab or
send the solutions to be managed
off-site?
There are several questions to ask before you make this decision.
First let’s consider off-site.
• Compliance - What are the legal requirements for having
my waste hauled off-site? For example, must I register with
the province as a generator and manifest all the waste? Are
there any limitations on the volume of waste or the length of
time I’m allowed to store it? Since you’re not discharging to
drain, you don’t have to worry about meeting discharge limits.
If your photo lab discharges to a septic system, however,
you must manage all waste off-site. Industrial waste must
not be discharged to a septic system. Another compliance
question involves the transporter. Is there a licensed hauler
in my area that will remove the waste for off-site
management? Always ask for a copy of the license for your
files. Remember that out-of-sight (or site) must not be outof-mind. You bear responsibility for your waste even after it
is off your site. For more information about transporting spent
chemicals and silver recovery residuals, see the PMA bulletin
Silver Removed from the Canadian Federal Transportation
Regulations.
• Cost - Will the film and paper processors need to be modified
to collect the overflow? Will I be charged for the storage
containers? What is the cost per litre to have the waste picked
up? Will I receive a credit for the silver in the waste? How
much effluent does my lab generate? If your volume is very
small, it may be more cost effective to have the effluent hauled
off-site.
• Space - Is there space available in the photo lab to store the
containers of waste awaiting pickup?
• Support - What ongoing support will the hauling service
provide?
Now, let’s look at the same categories and the questions to ask
about choosing on-site silver recovery.
• Compliance - Can an affordable silver recovery system meet
the discharge limit for silver?
• Cost - What is the equipment purchase price, and the maintenance (parts and labour), employee training and operating
costs? How much of the costs will be offset by the amount of
silver recovered?
• Space - What are the space requirements for the equipment
and consumables such as spare metallic replacement cartridges?
• Expertise of the lab personnel - How capable are the staff
of operating and maintaining the equipment? What are the
training requirements and will the supplier provide training?
• Supplier support - What ongoing support will the equipment
and service supplier provide?
Copyright © 1998
Photo Marketing Association International
78 Lytton Boulevard • Toronto, ON M4R 1L3
Phone: (416) 489-5614 • Fax: (416) 489-5780
Environmental Hotline (800) 267-7550
Internet address http://www.pmai.org
If I choose off-site management,
should I use an evaporation or
distillation unit to reduce the
volume?
Off-site waste management companies generally charge their
customers based on the volume of solutions to be transported. By
evaporating or distilling the solutions, a photo processor may reduce
the volume to be sent off-site.
A word of caution — by removing the water, evaporation and
distillation concentrate the remaining waste. This may actually
increase the price of off-site management. In some provinces,
wastes not otherwise regulated as hazardous, may become so when
they are concentrated. This means additional shipping paperwork
and costs. Finally, since an evaporator contributes to air emissions,
a license may be required for both the unit and for the operator of
the unit.
What’s the best on-site silver
recovery technology for me: metallic
replacement cartridges (MRCs),
electrolytic or precipitation?
These are the three types of on-site silver recovery equipment generally used by photo processors. Ask the following questions about
each of the three types of equipment:
• Compatibility of the equipment and your process - Will
the silver recovery equipment work with my chemical process?
• Ability to meet silver limits consistently - Can the
equipment provide ongoing compliance with the local silver
limits? Where there is a Code of Management Practice (CMP)
in place, does the equipment meet the requirements of the
CMP?
• Equipment costs and Return On Investment (ROI) - I have
used the attached worksheet to calculate the ROI for each
option I’m considering.
• Operating costs - What are the electricity requirements and
costs of consumables (e.g., cartridges, filters)?
• Shipping, insurance and refining costs - What are the costs
of shipping and refining the silver after it has been recovered?
For example, the cost of refining silver that has been
electrolytically recovered is much lower than refining costs
for metallic replacement cartridges. This means more money
in your pocket.
• Preventive maintenance requirements - Will the equipment
supplier provide the written procedures and schedule
requirements needed to keep the equipment operating
properly? Do we have the expertise in-house to maintain the
equipment or will we need to buy a service contract?
What size silver recovery system
do I need?
Estimate the amount of silver-bearing solution produced in your lab
daily. You can do this by calculating from the replenishment rates, by
tracking the number of litres of fix, bleach-fix and stabilizer mixed in
the lab for a specific time period, or by adding up monthly or annual
purchases of these chemicals. Use any of these methods to arrive
at a daily average. The silver recovery system you purchase must
be able to desilver this volume of solution in 24 hours. It should also
have a holding tank to accommodate any backlog. If your volume is
growing or declining overall, take this into consideration as well.
Buying a system that’s too small means that you’ll generate more
effluent than you’ll be able to desilver. Buying a system that’s
significantly larger than you need results in unnecessary capital costs
and, in the case of metallic replacement cartridges, can result in
lower silver yields.
How do I know if the silver recovery
system will keep my lab in compliance with silver regulations?
Since compliance is one of the many reasons to recover silver, it’s
critical to know whether the equipment is working properly. Here are
some compliance questions to ask about the silver recovery system(s)
you’re considering:
• Will the equipment supplier provide test data demonstrating that the system consistently meets the compliance
level required in my municipality?
• As part of the preventive maintenance program, does the
equipment supplier recommend we routinely check the
system with silver estimating test papers to indicate that
it’s working?
• Is the equipment supplier willing to provide analytical testing on the system effluent at least once following installation to confirm compliance?
Ask your supplier for operating specifications and analytical test data
demonstrating the performance of the equipment. Confirm your
system is working by routinely checking it with silver estimating
papers.
What should I look for in a silver
recovery equipment supplier?
What do I need to know
about shipping silver?
Your equipment supplier will be your primary source of information. Ask if the supplier will provide the following:
Since transportation falls under the jurisdiction of each individual
province, ask the following questions:
• verification after the equipment has been installed to be sure
it’s recovering silver to 5 mg/L or less,
• Is the recovered silver considered hazardous?
Currently, British Columbia is the only province that regulates
the transport of metallic replacement cartridges and
precipitation filters so that registration and manifesting are
required. For more information, see the PMA bulletin Silver
Removed from the Canadian Federal Transportation
Regulations.
• training for lab personnel in operating the silver recovery
equipment and performing preventive maintenance,
• help in tracking the amount of silver that is available silver
vs. the amount that’s actually recovered,
• an operating manual and preventive maintenance checklist
for the equipment,
• strong technical support including fast response time if the
equipment goes down and
• references to confirm the performance of the equipment and
the quality and level of supplier support.
What should I look for
in a silver refiner?
The refiner pays you for the silver recovered in your system minus
a fee for refining and handling. Ask the following questions:
• How are the refining charges calculated?
• How should the recovered silver be prepared for
transport? Should it be rinsed? Should the metallic
replacement cartridge be dried or filled with water? Some
cartridges cannot be sent dry because they undergo an
exothermic reaction and produce heat.
• Can the transporter provide waste license numbers from
each province through which the shipment passes? Ask
for a copy of the licenses for your files.
• What are the transportation and insurance costs?
If you’re shipping silver flake, declare the actual weight and
buy adequate insurance.
For more information about silver recovery or environmental issues, or for a listing of silver recovery
vendors, call the PMA Canada Environmental
Hotline at (800) 267-7550.
• Is the refiner licensed to receive and refine silver-bearing
materials? Ask for a copy of the license, called a Certificate
of Approval, for your files.
• Will the refiner provide detailed data on silver yields for
my cartridges only?
With metallic replacement cartridges and precipitation filters,
the weight has no relationship to the amount of silver
contained in the sludge. The refiner should report to you the
amount of silver in each cartridge or batch of your cartridges
after refining. Then you can compare the available silver
(based on film and paper processed) to the actual silver yield.
With electrolytic silver recovery, weigh the silver flake on
an accurate scale before sending it to the refiner. This gives
you a close approximation of the refined weight.
Checklist
Use the checklist on the next page in preparation
for making your decision about silver recovery.
• Will the refiner accept spill response materials
contaminated with silver-bearing solutions?
This bulletin is intended for use only as a general guideline.
Information contained herein is accurate as of May 1, 1998, to the best
of our knowledge.
Silver Recovery Checklist
For on-site silver recovery, answer Questions 1-11. For off-site silver recovery, answer Questions 12-16. If you answer “No” or “??” to any
question, you need to do more homework to find the answer or find another supplier.
On-Site Silver Recovery
Yes
No
??
Yes
No
??
Yes
No
??
1. I know the silver discharge limit for my municipality. It is _______________mg/L.
2. I will only consider silver recovery systems that meet this limit.
3. I have calculated the Return On Investment (ROI) for each system I’m considering.
4. I know the space requirements for each system, including parts and consumables.
5. The silver recovery equipment is compatible with my chemical process.
6. I’ve estimated the size of the system required for my volume of silver-bearing effluent.
7. I have received price quotes from at least three vendors.
8. The supplier will provide the following:
a. references who will verify the performance of the system
b. analytical test data demonstrating the system consistently recovers silver to a level at or below
the sewer bylaw limit
c. operations and preventive maintenance on-site training
d. operating and preventive maintenance manuals and checklists
e. analytical testing at least once after the system is installed
f. ongoing technical support including fast response if the system goes down
Silver Refiner
9. The refiner will provide detailed data on silver yields for our cartridges only.
10. I know how refining charges are calculated.
11. I have a copy of both the transporter’s and the refiner’s licenses on file.
Off-Site Silver Recovery
12. I know the legal requirements for storing waste and having my waste hauled off-site.
13. I know the specific machine conversions required to collect the effluent from my processors for off-site
silver recovery.
14. I have estimated the initial and ongoing costs of off-site silver recovery.
15. I know the space requirements for storing waste chemicals awaiting pickup.
16. The off-site transporter and receiver are both provincially licensed to handle waste photographic solutions
and I have a copy of their licenses on file.
Worksheet 1
MRCs - Silver Recovery Return Worksheet
This checksheet is designed for small- to medium-sized photo processors to make quick estimates of silver potentials based on
film volume. If you need assistance completing this form, contact your film supplier or call the toll-free PMA environmental hotline
at (800) 267-7550.
1. How to calculate the potential amount of silver in your lab
A1. Number of rolls of film processed per year at your store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B1. Potential silver per year in troy ounces (t.oz.)
Single print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.0150 or, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Double print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.0215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C1. Silver price per t.oz. from your supplier or the newspaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D1. Potential silver revenue per year (B1 times C1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_______________
rolls
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
t.oz.
t.oz.
$
$
D1
litres
litres
A2
A2
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
litres
MRCs
MRCs
MRCs
$
$
$
years
$
$
$
E3
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
$
batches
$
percent (%)
$
$
$
G4
B1
B1
2. How to calculate the potential volume of silver-bearing effluent in your lab
A2. Total silver-bearing process volume per year (litres)
Single print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.240 or, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
Double print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
3. How to calculate the equipment costs for MRCs
A3.
B3.
C3.
D3.
E3.
F3.
G3.
H3.
I3.
J3.
E3.
Maximum volume throughput for the MRC (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of MRCs required per year (A2 divided by A3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MRCs in your system configuration (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total MRCs required for the year (B3 times C3) round up to next whole # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of each MRC (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of MRCs per year (D3 times E3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of a pumping station (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Years amortized (for pumping station only - from your accountant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual cost of the pumping station (G3 divided by H3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of maintenance and supplies for the station (I3 times 0.10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of purchase (F3 plus I3 plus J3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. How to calculate refining costs for MRCs
A4.
B4.
C4.
D4.
E4.
F4.
G4.
MRC net weight and assay charge (from your refiner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of batches sent to refiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assay charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accountability charge for MRC (percent of the silver your refiner keeps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total accountability charges for silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shipping charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of refining (C4 plus E4 plus F4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. How to calculate profitability for MRCs
A5. Total revenue from silver recovery (D1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
B5. Total expenses per year for silver recovery (E3 plus G4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
C5. Profit/loss for silver recovery by MRCs (A5 minus B5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
$
$
$
Worksheet 2
Electrolytic plus MRCs Silver Recovery Return Worksheet
This checksheet is designed for small- to medium-sized photo processors to make quick estimates of silver potentials based on
film volume. If you need assistance completing this form, contact your film supplier or call the toll-free PMA environmental hotline
at (800) 267-7550.
1. How to calculate the potential amount of silver in your lab
A1. Number of rolls of film processed per year at your store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B1. Potential silver per year in troy ounces (t.oz.)
Single print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.0150 or, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Double print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.0215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C1. Silver price per troy ounce from your supplier or the newspaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D1. Potential silver revenue per year (B1 times C1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E1. Amount of silver recovered by the electrolytic unit (.80 times B1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1. Amount of silver recovered by the MRCs (.20 times B1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_______________
rolls
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
t.oz.
t.oz.
$
$
t.oz.
t.oz.
D1
E1
F1
litres
litres
A2
A2
B1
B1
2. How to calculate the potential volume of silver-bearing effluent in your lab
A2. Total silver-bearing process volume per year (litres)
Single print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.240 or, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______________
Double print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______________
3. How to calculate equipment costs for electrolytic in combination with MRCs
A3.
B3.
C3.
D3.
E3.
F3.
G3.
H3.
I3.
J3.
K3.
L3.
M3.
N3.
O3.
P3.
Q3.
Cost of the electrolytic unit (from your supplier - consider volume throughput) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Years amortized (for electrolytic unit only - from your accountant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of the electrolytic unit per year (A3 divided by B3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance/operating cost for the electrolytic at 15% (0.15 times C3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total annual cost of the electrolytic unit (C3 plus D3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum volume throughput for the MRC (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of MRCs required per year (A2 divided by F3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MRCs in your system configuration (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total MRCs required for the year (G3 times H3) round up to next whole # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of each MRC (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of MRCs per year (I3 times J3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of a pumping station (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Years amortized (for pumping station only - from your accountant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual cost of the pumping station (L3 divided by M3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance/supplies cost for the MRC system at 10% (0.10 times N3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of MRCs (K3 plus N3 plus O3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of electrolytic in combination with MRCs (D3 plus P3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
$
years
$
$
$
litres
MRCs
MRCs
MRCs
$
$
$
years
$
$
$
$
D3
K3
N3
O3
P3
Q3
Worksheet 2a
Electrolytic plus MRCs Silver Recovery Return Worksheet
continued
4. How to calculate refining costs for electrolytic in combination with MRCs
A4.
B4.
C4.
D4.
E4.
F4.
G4.
H4.
I4.
J4.
K4.
L4.
M4.
N4.
O4.
P4.
Q4.
R4.
Potential silver available from the electrolytic unit (E1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weight of silver flake in kilograms (kg.) (A4 times 0.031) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refining charge per kg. of silver received (if any - from your refiner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refining costs (B4 times C4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assay charge (if any - from your refiner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accountability charge on silver flake (the amount of silver your refiner keeps) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total accountability charge for silver flake (A4 times F4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of refining electrolytic flake (D4 plus E4 plus G4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Potential silver available from the MRCs (F1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Estimated weight (kg.) per used tailing cartridge (from your refiner or supplier) . . . . . . . . . . .
MRC weight charge per kg. (from your refiner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of MRCs sent to refiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total MRC weight charges (J4 times K4 times L4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accountability charge for MRC (percent of the silver your refiner keeps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total accountability charges for silver (I4 times N4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shipping charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of refining MRCs (M4 plus O4 plus P4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of refining electrolytic with MRCs (H4 plus Q4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
t.oz.
A4
kg.
$
$
D4
$
E4
%
$
G4
$
H4
t.oz.
I4
kg.
J4
$
K4
MRCs
L4
$
percent (%) N4
$
$
$
Q4
$
R4
5. How to calculate profitability for electrolytic in combination with MRCs
A5. Total revenue from silver recovery (D1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
B5. Total expenses per year for silver recovery (Q3 plus R4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
C5. Profit/loss for silver recovery by electrolytic plus MRCs (A5 minus B5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
$
$
$
Worksheet 3
Precipitation - Silver Recovery Return
Worksheet
This checksheet is designed for small- to medium-sized photo processors to make quick estimates of silver potentials based on
film volume. If you need assistance completing this form, contact your film supplier or call the toll-free PMA environmental hotline
at (800) 267-7550.
1. How to calculate the potential amount of silver in your lab
A1. Number of rolls of film processed per year at your store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B1. Potential silver per year in troy ounces (t.oz.)
Single print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.0150 or, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Double print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.0215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C1. Silver price per troy ounce from your supplier or the newspaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D1. Potential silver revenue per year (B1 times C1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_______________
rolls
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
t.oz.
t.oz.
$
$
D1
litres
litres
A2
A2
B1
B1
2. How to calculate the potential volume of silver-bearing effluent in your lab
A2. Total silver-bearing process volume per year (litres)
Single print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.240 or, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
Double print program (4 x 6): multiply A1 by 0.400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
3. How to calculate equipment costs for precipitation
A3.
B3.
C3.
D3.
E3.
F3.
G3.
H3.
I3.
J3.
Purchase price of a precipitation unit (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Years amortized (for precipitation unit only - from your accountant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of precipitation unit per year (A3 divided by B3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance costs for the precipitation unit at 10% (0.010 times C3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Volume of silver-bearing solution produced per year (from A2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amount of reagent required for your volume (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of reagent required (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amount of filters required for your volume (from your supplier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of filters for the precipitation unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of purchase (C3 plus D3 plus G3 plus I3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
$
years
$
$
litres
kits
$
filters
$
$
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
$
filters
$
percent (%)
$
$
$
G4
B3
J3
4. How to calculate refining costs for precipitation
A4.
B4.
C4.
D4.
E4.
F4.
G4.
Assay charge per TMT filter (from your refiner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of filters sent to refiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assay charges (A4 times B4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accountability charge for filter (percent of the silver your refiner keeps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total accountability charges for silver (D4 times B1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shipping charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cost of refining precipitation (C4 plus E4 plus F4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. How to calculate profitability for precipitation
A5. Total potential revenue from silver recovery (D1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
B5. Total expenses per year for silver recovery (J3 plus G4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
C5. Profit/loss for silver recovery by precipitation (A5 minus B5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _______________
$
$
$