How it is calculated
- 1 mtu = 1% of 1,000 kg = 10 kg of contained metal
- 1 ltu = 1% of 2,240 lb = 22.4 lb = 10.1605 kg
- 1 stu = 1% of 2,000 lb = 20 lb = 9.0718 kg
- Price per kg contained = price per unit ÷ kg per unit
- 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg exactly; 1 long ton = 2,240 lb; 1 short ton = 2,000 lb
Worked example
A price of $4.50 per mtu. Per kg of contained metal = 4.50 ÷ 10 = $0.45. Per tonne of contained metal = $450. Per ltu = 4.50 × 10.1605 ÷ 10 = $4.57. Per stu = 4.50 × 9.0718 ÷ 10 = $4.08. Per lb of contained metal = $0.2041.
Frequently asked questions
What does dmtu stand for?
Dry metric tonne unit: one percent of a dry metric tonne of ore, or 10 kg of contained metal, with the weight measured on a dry basis.
What is the difference between mtu, ltu and stu?
They are 1% of a metric tonne (10 kg), a long ton (10.1605 kg) and a short ton (9.0718 kg) respectively. Metric units are standard for ore today, but ltu and stu still appear in older contracts and some markets.
How do I convert a price per mtu to a price per tonne of metal?
Multiply by 100, because a tonne of contained metal is 100 mtu. $4.50 per mtu is $450 per tonne of contained metal.
How many pounds are in a tonne?
A metric tonne is 2,204.62 lb. A long ton is 2,240 lb and a short ton is 2,000 lb.