Development Advance Rate Calculator
Development advance rate measures how fast an underground heading (decline, drive, drift or crosscut) progresses.
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Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the total metres advanced and the number of periods (shifts, days or weeks) it took — the tool returns the average advance rate per period.
- Optionally enter the remaining metres to see how many more periods completing the drive will take at the current rate.
- Optionally enter periods per week to project a weekly advance figure for scheduling.
How it works
Development advance rate measures how fast an underground heading (decline, drive, drift or crosscut) progresses. It is a simple ratio: advance rate = metres advanced / number of periods. Choose the period to suit your reporting — metres per shift, per day or per week — by entering the matching period count. The result is an average over the whole span, so it smooths out fast and slow rounds.
Given a remaining distance, periods to complete = remaining metres / advance rate. A weekly projection multiplies the per-period rate by the periods worked per week. These are linear extrapolations of the current average and assume the rate holds — real advance is governed by the full development cycle (drill, charge, blast, muck, ground support) plus equipment availability, ground conditions and delays, so treat the figures as planning estimates.
Worked example
156 m over 12 shifts. A jumbo development crew advances a decline heading 156 m over 12 shifts. Advance rate = 156 / 12 = 13 m per shift. With 300 m of drive remaining, periods to complete = 300 / 13 = 23.1 shifts. Working 7 shifts per week projects to 13 x 7 = 91 m per week.
Common mistakes
- Mixing period types — dividing metres by a shift count but calling the result 'per day'. Keep metres and the period count on the same basis (both shifts, or both days).
- Confusing development advance with drill penetration rate. This tool measures how far the face progresses per period, not how fast the drill bit cuts rock — use a drill metres-per-shift tool for the latter.
- Treating the projection as a guarantee. The remaining-periods and weekly figures assume the average rate continues; ground changes, support requirements and delays routinely shift real advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good development advance rate?
It varies widely with heading size, ground conditions and equipment — single-boom jumbo decline development often runs a few metres per shift, while twin-boom operations in good ground can achieve more. Compare against your own site benchmarks rather than a universal number; this tool just computes your actual average.
Can I use it for metres per week instead of per shift?
Yes. Enter the metres advanced and the number of weeks as the period count to get metres per week directly, or enter shifts and use the 'periods per week' field to project a weekly figure from a per-shift rate.
Does this account for the full drill-blast-muck cycle?
No. It gives the net average advance across whatever periods you enter, which already includes all cycle activities and delays that occurred. It does not model individual cycle steps — for that you would break down drill, charge, blast, muck and support times separately.
Related tools
- Drill Metres per Shift Calculator
- Drill Utilisation Calculator
- Drill Cost per Metre Calculator
- Decline Grade & Distance Calculator
- Stope Volume Calculator
- Underground Haulage Distance Calculator
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