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The number of grams per ton of ore milled, usually in a gold mine or other precious metals mine. Mines are categorised by their average grade and it is a key component of their results. Low grade mines are usually considered to be marginal because they have a cost of extraction which is very close to the current price of the metals which they are mining. Heavy-weight gold mines have a grade which is much higher and so they are more or less guaranteed to be profitable even if the gold price falls. Dump recovery mines operate with very low grades, but they are re-processing old mine dumps and so don't have the costs and risks of underground operations. The average ore grade in South Africa has been falling, while the cost of extraction has been rising, resulting in lower and lower annual production of gold. In 1970 South Africa produced 1000 tons of gold and was by far the largest producer of gold in the world. By 2022 it had fallen to be the 8th largest producer with production of just 110 tons. The largest producer in 2022 was China with 330 tons followed by Australia and Russia both with 320 tons each. Total world production was 3100 tons.

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