Abtragsgrad

Abtragsgrad is a term used in mining, civil engineering, and related fields to describe the extent of material removal in a project. It indicates how much of the target material (such as overburden, ore, or soil) has been removed relative to what was planned or possible. The concept is typically expressed as a fraction or percentage and serves as a measure of progress and performance in excavation and extraction processes.

Calculation is based on volumes or masses. A common formula is Abtragsgrad = (removed amount) / (planned amount) × 100%. The removed amount can be given in cubic meters or tonnes, and the planned amount refers to the total quantity intended to be removed in a defined phase or project.

Applications include monitoring progress in open-pit mining, quarrying, and earthworks, as well as analyzing erosion or soil-removal in environmental and agricultural studies. The Abtragsgrad helps project managers assess whether schedules and budgets are on track, and it can inform decisions about equipment use, blasting, backfilling, or rebalancing of resources.

Data and measurement rely on surveying and modeling. Removed volumes are estimated from drill logs, blast designs, dump records, and 3D models, often converted to masses using material density. Limitations include measurement uncertainties, changes in project scope, backfilling, or stockpiling, which can affect the accuracy and interpretation of the Abtragsgrad.

Example: If 1.4 million m3 of overburden have been removed from a deposit planned to yield 2.0 million m3, the Abtragsgrad is 70%.