In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, host Tarrant Elkington (Snowden Optiro General Manager) chats with Pedro Ladiera (Senior Consultant Mining) about one of mine planning’s most critical (and misunderstood) decisions - the final pit. They explore the technical and economic logic behind pit optimisation, from the use of Lerchs-Grossmann and Pseudoflow algorithms to the importance of discounting by depth, and why your first five years of mining might matter more than the final pit...
Jul 23, 2025•19 min•Ep. 120
What if your mine plan is giving you a false sense of security? In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Dr Gregory Zhang is joined by Dr Tarrant Elkington, General Manager of Snowden Optiro, to discuss the shift from traditional deterministic planning to stochastic mine planning - and why it matters more than ever. They explore what stochastic planning really is, how it can improve confidence in your production forecasts, and why the mining industry has been slow to adopt it despite decades of develo...
Jul 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 119
With gold prices at record highs, many companies are looking to breathe new life into historic gold projects - but it’s not as simple as picking up where someone else left off. In this episode, Snowden Optiro’s Susan Havlin (Managing Consultant) chats with Jane Levett, Principal Consultant, about the data challenges, validation methods, and practical steps required before an historical project can be re-estimated or brought back into production. Whether you're a junior explorer or a seasoned min...
Jul 09, 2025•11 min•Ep. 118
In this episode of our Fresh Thinking podcast, Pedro Ladiera our Senior Consultant chats with Tarrant Elkington our General Manager about the vertical rate of advance (VRA) - a critical but often overlooked parameter in open pit mine planning. They talk through how VRA affects everything from waste stripping and ore access to project risk and optimisation. They cover: What VRA actually means in practice How it varies by commodity, mining method, and equipment When pushing the limits might actual...
Jul 03, 2025•19 min•Ep. 117
What separates a good resource estimate from a risky one? In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Snowden Optiro’s Executive Consultants Ian Glacken and Bob Jankovic discuss the hard-won lessons of resource estimation. From understanding mineralisation trends to the art (and science) of capping, they explore what really matters when building confidence in your numbers. With decades of operational, financial, and geological experience between them, Ian and Bob share war stories and insights that every...
Jun 25, 2025•14 min•Ep. 116
In this episode, Dr Gregory Zhang (Resource Geologist) is joined by Hamish Guthrie (Mining Engineer) to explore how resource geologists can better understand and contribute to mine planning. From the importance of resource classification to the value of including waste domain data, Hamish shares insights from over 25 years of experience in mining operations and consulting. They also discuss the benefits of adding more geological detail - even in early-stage projects - and how small decisions in ...
Jun 19, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Senior Mining Consultant Pedro Ladeira sits down with Snowden Optiro General Manager Tarrant Elkington to explore the real value behind variable cutoff grades in mine planning. From NPV optimisation to stockpiling strategies and the practical challenges of implementation, this conversation is packed with insights that can help elevate your project’s performance. Whether you're planning an open pit or underground mine, this episode unpacks how dynamic cutoff str...
Jun 11, 2025•22 min•Ep. 114
In this episode, our Perth based Managing Consultant Susan Havlin chats with our Principal Consultant Jane Levett about some of the common misconceptions that crop up in resource estimation. From domaining to density to classification confidence - it’s all on the table. If you’ve ever wondered why your model didn’t quite hold up under scrutiny, or why 10x10 drilling doesn’t automatically mean measured, this one’s for you. If you’re a resource geologist, investor, or anyone who’s ever looked at a...
Jun 04, 2025•8 min•Ep. 113
With more than 35 years of industry experience, Bob Jankovic our Snowden Optiro Executive Consultant brings first-hand insights from both the mining and banking sides of the table - mining companies and the capital markets. Together, our General Manager Tarrant Elkington and Bob discuss the value investment banks add to project development, the skills technical professionals bring to finance, and how junior miners can attract the right kind of attention. Whether you’re an executive, a consultant...
May 28, 2025•14 min•Ep. 112
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, our General Manager Tarrant Elkington is joined by our Principal Consultant Matt Walker to explore what really goes into ASX announcements of Mineral Resource Estimates (MREs). They discuss the minimum reporting requirements under the JORC Code, the role of the Competent Person, and common red flags to watch for - such as unconstrained estimates, overuse of superlatives, and misleading imagery. Whether you're a geologist, mining professional, ...
May 21, 2025•22 min•Ep. 111
What do banks look for before funding a mining project? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Tarrant Elkington is joined by our Executive Consultant Bob Jankovic to explore the technical side of mining finance. With over 35 years’ experience across North and South America, and deep expertise inside major banks, Bob offers a rare look behind the scenes of what lenders expect from feasibility studies, resource models, and risk assessments. Whether you're preparing to raise capital ...
May 15, 2025•16 min•Ep. 110
In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Senior Consultant Dr Gregory Zhang and Executive Consultant Ian Glacken explore more advanced mineral resource classification methods. Building on Part 1, they discuss the widely used 90/15 approach, delve into the role of scorecards, and discuss how classification should go beyond drill spacing alone. A practical conversation for geologists, resource modellers, and anyone involved in technical reporting. This podcast at a glance: 00:45 – What is the 90/15 appr...
May 07, 2025•14 min•Ep. 109
In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Dr Tarrant Elkington Snowden Optiro's General Manager, speaks with Dr Leon Lorenzen about the critical role of metallurgical and processing due diligence in mining projects. They explore how process plants are evaluated, why throughput is often a hidden risk, and the challenges of forecasting performance in both operating and new mines. Whether you're reviewing an acquisition or building a new operation, this discussion provides valuable insight into identifyin...
Apr 30, 2025•15 min•Ep. 108
In this Fresh Thinking episode, we’re discussing one of mining’s toughest technical challenges: refractory gold ores. Dr Tarrant Elkington, Snowden Optiro General Manager sits down with metallurgical expert Dr Leon Lorenzen to explore why some gold refuses to come quietly, and the high-stakes processing paths needed to recover it. From pressure oxidation to bioleaching and ultrafine grinding, this episode uncovers the costs, complexities, and future of refractory ore treatment. If you're a geolo...
Apr 22, 2025•13 min•Ep. 107
In Episode 106 of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultants Ian Glacken and Graeme Lyall discuss the practical realities of mineral resource classification. This episode explores current best practices and highlights the importance of combining data-driven methods with geological insight. Whether you're a junior or major, this conversation will help sharpen your classification strategy and confidence levels. This podcast at a glance: ⏱️ 00:15 – Why resource classification matters a...
Apr 16, 2025•18 min•Ep. 106
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken interviews Senior Mining Consultant Pedro Ladeira on a topic that’s often overlooked—but critically important: fixed costs in strategic mine planning. This podcast at a glance: 00:00 – Introduction: Why fixed costs matter in mine planning 01:00 – How variable costs are typically applied in mine plans 02:20 – What are conditional fixed costs and why they matter 03:50 – Impact of fixed costs on strategic planning...
Apr 10, 2025•10 min
In this episode of Snowden Optiro's Fresh Thinking podcast, host Pedro Ladeira (Senior Consultant) is joined by Hamish Guthrie (Managing Consultant, Mining Engineering) to explore the critical role of cut-off grades in mining. From defining what a cut-off grade is to explaining how it's applied across different operations and project stages, they discuss the strategic, economic, and technical factors that make this small number a big deal. If you would like to contact either Hamish or Pedro: con...
Apr 09, 2025•10 min
Discover how Cornwall's rich mining history shaped the global mining industry. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken chats with Senior Consultant Laurie Hassall about the legacy of Cornish mining. From tin and copper to tungsten, they explore the region’s innovations, the export of mining expertise worldwide, and what the future holds for mining in Cornwall. If you'd like to connect with Laurie Hassall and Ian Glacken, please email them: contact@sn...
Mar 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 103
Discover how battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are transforming underground mining operations. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Managing Consultant Hamish Guthrie chats with Principal Consultant Sarah de Vries about the significant safety and health benefits of battery-operated vehicles (BEVs)—improved air quality, lower heat, reduced noise, and less vibration. They also discuss the challenges of transitioning to electric fleets and the future of mine electrification. This pod...
Mar 20, 2025•9 min
101: Machine Learning – Case Study In this podcast, Susan Havlin, Managing Consultant APAC and Dr Gregory Zhang, Senior Geology Consultant discuss the application of machine learning for geological domaining in Resource Estimation, with specific reference to a project that Dr Gregory Zhang worked on. This podcast at a glance: 1.21 A case study using the k-means algorithm 0.55 Why was an alternative approach needed? 2:10 What is the k-means algorithm and why is it suitable? 3:10 What steps were u...
Mar 13, 2025•9 min
In this episode, Ian Glacken our Executive Consultant in Perth, Australia discusses the thorny and divisive topic about whether we should be trying to minimise conditional bias in an estimate or should we be striving for a better idea of grade/tonnage relationship at the time of mining? Ian is joined in this discussion by Graeme Lyall our Executive Consultant who is based in Santiago, and Dr Oscar Rondon, Principal Geostatistician Datamine. 1:26 This podcast video at a glance 3:03 What is condit...
Mar 11, 2025•16 min
In this episode, Susan Havlin, our Managing Consultant – Geology, and Gregory Zhang, our Senior Geology Consultant, discuss the advantages of developing customised internal tools to tackle technical challenges. They illustrate this with a case study on accurately modeling and managing resource depletion. This podcast video at a glance: 00:10 Introduction 01:06 Why is it so difficult? 02:18 Errors involved in using the traditional approach 02:45 Applying these methods 03:53 The solution 09:33 Les...
Feb 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 99
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Senior Consultant Laurie Hassall and our EMEAA Regional Manager Julian Aldridge discuss the critical steps in moving from a Pre-Feasibility Study to a Feasibility Study, focusing on refining project concepts and ensuring economic viability. This podcast at a glance: 00:15 Introduction 00:38 Difference between PFS and FS 02:20 Various steps for a Pre-Feasibility Study 05:51 The changes when progressing to a Feasibility Study 09:23 Costs and tim...
Feb 20, 2025•14 min
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Principal Consultant Jan Graham continue their deep dive into recoverable resources. In Part 2, they tackle localisation, LUC vs. MIK, SMU estimate misconceptions, and what engineers really need to know. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:46 Issues with localisation and its importance 02:05 The main localisation method 04:11 How does it work with LUC and MIK? 04:49 How is it different w...
Feb 13, 2025•10 min
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Senior Consultant Laurie Hassall discusses geometallurgical sampling, from collection to data analysis and ore body understanding.. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:15 Introduction 00:20 Geometallurgical sample collection 02:35 The next stage of sample collection 03:40 Data analysis and interpretation 04:25 Understanding geomet campaigns Join our expert as he explores the topic of 'Geometallurgical Sampling' in the episode 96 of the Fresh ...
Feb 05, 2025•6 min
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, tune in as Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Principal Consultant Jan Graham delve into the key concepts of recoverable resources, examining their purpose, estimation techniques, practical applications, and how they differ from recoverable reserves. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:50 Recoverable resources and their purpose 02:05 Main recoverable resources methods 04:30 Applicability in open pit vs. underground scenar...
Jan 31, 2025•11 min
In this episode, Danny Tolmer and Gordon Webb explore the complexities of planning and optimising large open pit mines, from defining their scope to tackling long-term challenges and strategic decision-making. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction to the topic 00:30 Definition of large open pit mines 01:20 Optimisation challenges for large pits 02:30 Selecting pit shells with NPV insensitivity 03:40 Common discount rates for large mines 04:20 Impacts of discount rate choices 05:20...
Jan 23, 2025•8 min
In this special episode, recorded at the Datamine Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2024, we’re doing something a little different to enhance your listening experience. Instead of our usual two-speaker format, we’ve brought together a panel of four industry experts to share their collective knowledge, insights, and real-world experiences on one of the most transformative trends in mining: Mine Electrification. The panel host is Tarrant Elkington – Snowden Optiro General Manager and the speakers ...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Susan Havlin, our Managing Consultant Geology and Gregory Zhang, our Senior Geology Consultant explore the impact of trends in resource data, methods to identify and address them, and advanced techniques like principal component analysis and universal kriging to improve estimation accuracy. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:10 Introduction 00:55 Why trends in data matter 01:42 Common methods to identify trends 03:45 Problems caused by trends in estimation 04:30 Mitigating tre...
Jan 09, 2025•14 min
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Senior Consultant Dr. Gregory Zhang discuss declustering techniques, their practical applications, and how to address challenges in resource validation. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:30 The reason to decluster data 01:30 Explanation of how cell declustering works 02:05 Key uncertainties and parameters in cell declustering 03:51 Defining volume in polygonal declustering 06:30 Issues...
Dec 19, 2024•12 min
