Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

Afleveringen

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  EP 177 | Rethinking Grade Control: When Ordinary Kriging Isn't Enough 01.10.2026 18min

  When does ordinary kriging stop being the best approach for grade control? In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Ian Glacken, Executive Consultant, and Dr Gregory Zhang, Senior Consultant at  @SnowdenOptiro , explore direct SMU estimation and the circumstances where conventional ordinary kriging may not provide the best result. They discuss the challenges presented by highly skewed grade distributions, mixed populations and complex anisotropy, and consider alternative approaches including categorical indicator kriging (CIK), multiple indicator kriging (MIK) and localised MIK. Drawing on a case study, Ian and Gregory examine why different estimation methods should be tested and assessed against reconciliation results, rather than assuming a single approach will work for every deposit. They also emphasise an important point: more sophisticated estimation techniques are not a substitute for appropriate drilling and good-quality data.  Listen to Fresh Thinking for technical insights and practical perspectives from Snowden Optiro's mining and geology experts.
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  EP 176 | Evolving Air Quality Regulations: A Catalyst for Electric Machine Adoption 23.09.2026 8min

  Changing workplace exposure limits could become an important driver of battery electric vehicle adoption in underground mining. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬, Hamish Guthrie is joined by Sarah de Vries to discuss Sarah's recent presentation at The Electric Mine Conference 2026, "Evolving Air Quality Regulations: A Catalyst for Electric Machine Adoption." Sarah explores the changing regulatory environment for diesel particulate matter (DPM) and other airborne contaminants, and what tighter exposure limits could mean for underground mine ventilation, operating costs, productivity and equipment selection. The discussion also considers the growing role of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in underground mining, including current technology limitations, ventilation and infrastructure considerations, and the importance of evaluating BEVs within the specific operating and financial context of each mine. Sarah also shares key takeaways from The Electric Mine Conference, including emerging operating data from mines trialing and operating full BEV fleets underground. In this episode: Changes to workplace exposure limits for DPM Implications for underground mine ventilation Options for reducing diesel emissions underground The role of BEVs in meeting changing air quality requirements Current limitations and considerations for BEV adoption Emerging operational data from underground BEV fleets Subscribe to the ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬ YouTube channel for more technical discussions from our mining and geology specialists.
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  EP 174 | Platinum: Is It Worth Its Weight in Gold? 10.09.2026 11min

  Platinum is one of the world's rarest and most geographically concentrated metals, with applications spanning the automotive, industrial, jewellery and emerging hydrogen sectors. But what does its evolving supply and demand outlook mean for the mining industry? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Senzeni Mandava Matondi and Julian Aldridge explore platinum's geology, market dynamics and strategic importance. They discuss the concentration of global platinum supply, changing automotive demand, the potential role of hydrogen technology, substitution between platinum group metals (PGMs), supply constraints and the challenges of bringing new mines into production. The conversation also considers what these trends could mean from a mining perspective, including the potential for renewed exploration, mine life extensions and new project development. Subscribe to Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro for more technical discussions covering geology, resource estimation, mining and the commodities shaping the industry.
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  EP 173 | The Theory of Sampling: Why Every Mining Decision Begins with a Representative Sample 02.09.2026 8min

  Was the sample representative? Every geological model, resource estimate, grade control decision and reconciliation result ultimately depends on the quality of the samples behind it. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Melanie Bulley is joined by Senzeni Mandava Matondi to explore the Theory of Sampling and why representative sampling is fundamental to reliable decision-making throughout the mining value chain. They discuss why natural heterogeneity makes sampling challenging, the difference between correct and incorrect sampling errors, why precision should not be confused with representativity, and why even highly precise laboratory analysis cannot correct a sample that was unrepresentative from the beginning. The episode also explores the practical consequences of poor sampling, including ore loss, dilution, poor reconciliation and unreliable resource estimates. In this episode: Why sampling is the foundation of mining data Understanding representativity and natural heterogeneity Correct vs. incorrect sampling errors Precision vs. representativity Why laboratories cannot fix poor sampling The impact of sampling on grade control and reconciliation Principles of good sampling practice
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  EP 172 | Tailings Are Not Just Relocated Ore: The Nuances of Tailings Mineral Resource Estimates 26.08.2026 13min

  Tailings Mineral Resource Estimates can appear straightforward. The material has already been mined, crushed, processed and deposited in one location — but tailings facilities present their own unique set of technical challenges. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by @SnowdenOptiro  , Senzeni Mandava and Melanie Bulley explore the nuances of estimating Mineral Resources within tailings facilities. They discuss how tailings differ from conventional in situ deposits and why depositional engineering, rather than natural geological controls, can become fundamental to understanding continuity. opics covered include: Density and moisture uncertainty Sampling unconsolidated and saturated material Variography and spatial continuity in tailings • Depositional history and hydraulic segregation The importance of the phreatic surface and hydrogeology Metallurgical recoverability and project economics Mineral Resource classification Tailings reprocessing, critical minerals and ESG considerations As Senzeni and Melanie discuss, a tailings facility is not simply a relocated orebody. It is an engineered, evolving sedimentary system with its own geotechnical, hydrogeological, metallurgical and operational complexities.
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  EP 171 | Part 2 of 2: Managing Uncertainty - How Better Grade Control Leads to Better Decisions 19.08.2026 6min

  In Part 2 of our Fresh Thinking by @SnowdenOptiro  two-part series, host Melanie Bully is joined by Senzeni Matondi to continue the discussion on why the most expensive mistake in grade control isn't necessarily mining low-grade material — it's making the wrong decision about whether material is ore or waste. Following on from Part 1, this episode explores how mining operations can make better grade control decisions by understanding and managing uncertainty. Melanie and Senzeni discuss why average grade alone doesn't tell the full story, how conditional bias and grade smoothing can affect ore and waste classification, and why local accuracy around the cut-off grade is so important. They also explore grade control as a complete value chain — from sampling, QA/QC and geological logging through to estimation, dig planning, mining execution, stockpile management and mine-to-mill reconciliation. The conversation then turns to modern approaches to uncertainty and risk, including conditional simulation, probability-based ore classification and risk-based digline optimisation. In this episode Melanie and Senzeni discuss: Why two models with similar average grades can deliver very different operational outcomes Conditional bias and the impact of grade smoothing The importance of local accuracy around the cut-off grade How ore loss and dilution result from misclassification • Why reconciliation reflects the performance of the entire grade control system Moving from deterministic estimates to risk-informed decision-making What best-practice grade control looks like at high-performing operations The key message from this two-part series is simple: grade control isn't about producing the perfect block model — it's about consistently making better mining decisions.
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  EP 175 | Why Resource & Reserve Reconciliation Matters 17.08.2026 21min

  In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Rayleen Hargreaves, Principal Consultant at Datamine and Product Owner of Reconcilor, talks with Ian Glacken, Executive Consultant at Snowden Optiro, about the importance of reconciling mineral resources and reserves across the mine value chain. Resource and reserve reconciliation is often given less attention than the production stages of the mining process, yet it provides an important link between what a company reports, what it plans to mine, and what is ultimately produced.  Rayleen and Ian discuss: The role of resources and reserves in the mine value chain The differences between mineral resources and mineral reserves • Why resource and reserve reconciliation is important The value of monthly reconciliation and early warning indicators Why reserves need to be represented as a model that can be depleted How to approach reconciliation when mining occurs outside the reported reserve The relationship between resource, reserve and grade control reconciliation The growing importance of transparency and reconciliation in reporting codes The discussion also considers potential changes to the JORC Code and the role that resource and reserve reconciliation could play in improving transparency for companies, shareholders and other stakeholders.
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  EP 170 | Part 1 of 2: Why the Most Expensive Mistake in Grade Control Isn't Low Grade 12.08.2026 4min

  What if the most expensive mistake in grade control isn't mining low-grade material — but making the wrong decision about what is ore and what is waste? In this two-part episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Senzeni Matondi, Principal Consultant, joins Melanie Bully, Senior Consultant, to explore why grade control is fundamentally a decision-making discipline, not simply a grade estimation exercise.  In Part 1, Senzeni and Melanie unpack the operational and financial consequences of misclassification, including: Ore loss — when valuable material is classified as waste and potentially lost forever Dilution — when waste enters the ore stream, reducing head grade and consuming valuable processing capacity Misclassification — and why it can result from accumulated uncertainty across sampling, geological interpretation, estimation, blast movement, survey accuracy and mining execution Reconciliation — and why poor reconciliation can reflect issues across the entire mining value chain, rather than the resource model alone The key takeaway? A technically sound grade estimate is only useful if it supports the right operational decisions.
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  EP 169 | Why Good Estimates Can Still Produce Poor Reconciliation 06.08.2026 6min

  If your resource model is statistically robust, why doesn't it always reconcile with production? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Melanie Bulley and Senzeni Mandava Matondi explore why good resource estimates can still lead to disappointing reconciliation results. They discuss the impact of grade smoothing, explain the concept of conditional bias, and explore why reproducing the average grade is only part of the story. The conversation also covers practical techniques used by resource geologists to assess estimation performance and improve local predictions that support better mining decisions. Whether you're working in resource estimation, grade control or mine reconciliation, this episode offers practical insights into bridging the gap between statistical accuracy and operational performance.
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  EP 168 | When Geology Isn't Enough - Using Categorical Indicator Kriging to Model Diffuse Mineralisation 29.07.2026 8min

  How do you model mineralisation when geological boundaries aren't clearly defined? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by  @SnowdenOptiro  , Senior Consultant, Melanie Bulley is joined by Principal Consultant, Senzeni Matondi to explore how Categorical Indicator Kriging (CIK) can be used to model diffuse mineralisation more objectively and consistently. The discussion covers: Why traditional wireframing can be challenging in diffuse deposits How probability-based domaining improves consistency The role of CIK in reducing subjectivity Building more robust and defensible resource models Whether you're a resource geologist, geostatistician or mining professional, this episode provides practical insights into one of the industry's most powerful domaining techniques. Subscribe for more conversations on resource estimation, geostatistics and mining best practice from the experts at Snowden Optiro.
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  EP 166 | What Consultants See That Mine Sites Miss: Lessons in Mine-to-Mill Reconciliation 01.07.2026 11min

  What do consultants see that mine sites often miss? In this episode of Fresh Thinking bySnowden Optiro, Rayleen Hargreaves is joined by Ian Glacken to discuss the most common mine-to-mill reconciliation challenges, from stockpile management and siloed teams to understanding variance and improving decision-making. Learn why reconciliation is more than a monthly report—it's a powerful tool for improving mine performance.
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  EP 164 | Critical vs Strategic Minerals: Which Commodities Matter Most? 29.05.2026 5min

  Which commodities matter most in the global race for critical and strategic minerals? In this episode of  @SnowdenOptiro  Fresh Thinking podcast, Senzeni Mandava Matondi is joined by Julian Aldridge and Laurie Hassall to explore the commodities that consistently appear on critical minerals lists around the world and the factors driving their importance. The discussion examines key battery minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite, alongside rare earth elements, tungsten and aluminium. The team also explores how geopolitical considerations, supply chain security and processing capability influence whether a mineral is considered critical or strategic. Topics covered include: The common commodities found on national critical minerals lists The growing importance of rare earths and tungsten Why aluminium is increasingly viewed as both critical and strategic How Indonesia's nickel production is influencing global markets China's role in downstream processing and critical mineral supply chains The relationship between resource availability, processing capacity and strategic importance
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  EP 163 | Critical vs Strategic Minerals: What's the Difference? 29.05.2026 10min

  What makes a mineral critical? What makes it strategic? And why are governments around the world racing to secure supplies of certain commodities? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro , Senzeni Mandava Matondi, Julian Aldridge, and Laurie Hassell explore the growing importance of critical and strategic minerals in today's economy. From copper, lithium and rare earth elements to gallium and germanium minerals, the discussion examines how countries define these resources and why those definitions matter. The team explores: The difference between critical and strategic minerals Why supply risk matters The role of minerals in national security and defence Food security and fertiliser-related commodities How critical mineral lists differ between countries The influence of processing capability and intellectual property The minerals driving the energy transition
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  EP 162 | AI in Mining: Tool or Threat to Geologists? 29.05.2026 22min

  Will AI replace geologists? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by  @SnowdenOptiro , we explore how artificial intelligence is being used across the mining industry, from exploration targeting and core logging to resource estimation and technical reporting. Our team discusses the opportunities AI presents, its current limitations, and why geological expertise, judgement and accountability remain critical in mining workflows.
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  EP 161 | Private vs Public Mining Companies: CRIRSCO Compliance Explained 28.05.2026 13min

  What are the key differences between private mining companies and publicly listed mining companies when it comes to project development, risk, and reporting? In this episode of ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬ 's Fresh Thinking podcast, Senior Consultant, Laurie Hassall speaks with Managing Consultant, Julian Aldridge, about how private companies approach mining project economics compared with companies reporting under the CRIRSCO framework. The discussion covers: CRIRSCO Code compliance and disclosure requirements Investor protection and technical defensibility Resource and reserve classification Mining project economics and financing strategies Risk appetite in private vs public companies ESG considerations in modern mining projects How reporting standards influence mine development decisions This episode provides valuable insight for mining professionals, investors, geologists, engineers, and anyone involved in mineral resource development and project evaluation.
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  EP 157 | Part 4 of 7: Localised Conditional Simulation 01.05.2026 10min

  In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Ian Glacken and Susan Havlin explore localised conditional simulation (LCS) and its role in modern resource estimation workflows. Building on earlier discussions around estimation methods, recoverable resources, and conditional simulation, this episode brings everything together to explain how LCS converts multiple simulation realisations into a single, practical block model—while preserving realistic grade variability.  Key topics include:  What localized conditional simulation is and why it matters How localization transforms multiple realizations into a single model The role of the E-type estimate in ranking and distribution Differences between LCS and traditional ordinary kriging How LCS supports recoverable resource estimation at the SMU scale The origins of localization and its relationship to methods like uniform conditioning and MIK
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  EP 156 | Part 3 of 7: Conditional Simulation 01.05.2026 12min

  In this episode of Fresh Thinking by ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬, Susan Havlin and Ian Glacken explore the fundamentals of conditional simulation and its role in modelling grade variability and uncertainty in mineral resource estimation. They discuss how simulation differs from traditional methods like kriging and uniform conditioning, why capturing uncertainty is critical for modern mining decisions, and how multiple realizations can provide valuable insight into upside and downside risk.  The conversation also touches on practical challenges, including reporting to the market and integrating uncertainty into mine planning workflows.
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  EP 159 | Part 6 of 7: How Simulation Influences Mine Planning Decisions 29.04.2026 11min

  In this episode of Fresh Thinking by @SnowdenOptiro, Susan Havlin speaks with Tarrant Elkington about the mine planning implications of simulation. The conversation explores: Why resource models are fundamental to mine planning and project evaluation The impact of grade variability and smoothing on mine planning outcomes How LCS compares with conventional estimation methods such as Ordinary Kriging The operational implications of dilution, ore loss and mining selectivity How simulation-based approaches can support risk-aware and stochastic mine planning Why LCS can integrate into existing mine planning workflows This episode is the sixth in our seven-part series exploring recoverable resource estimation, simulation and uncertainty in mineral resource modelling.
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  EP 158 | Part 5 of 7: Understanding Uncertainty in Mineral Resource Estimation 29.04.2026 13min

  In this episode of Fresh Thinking by ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬, Susan Havlin and Ian Glacken discuss uncertainty in mineral resource estimation and how Localised Conditional Simulation (LCS) provides a more practical framework for analysing geological risk and variability. The conversation explores: Conditional simulation and uncertainty Resource classification Simulation versus kriging Risk-qualified mine planning Why preserving variability matters Listen now to learn how modern geostatistical approaches are shaping the future of resource estimation.
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  EP 167 | Behind the Paper: Enhancing Underground Mine Reconciliation 29.04.2026 16min

  In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Ian Glacken and Rayleen Hargreaves discuss their conference paper, "Enhancing Underground Mine Reconciliation: A Unified F and R Series Framework," co-authored with Tarrant Elkington and Arja Jewbali and presented at the AusIMM International Mining Geology Conference 2026 in Brisbane in April. The conversation explores the challenges of applying traditional mine reconciliation frameworks to underground mining operations and introduces the R Series as an extension of the established F Series framework. Ian and Rayleen discuss why resource-to-reserve reconciliation matters, the importance of a common volume approach, and how improved reconciliation can increase confidence in resource models, modifying factors and production outcomes. Topics covered include: The F Series and R Series reconciliation frameworks Why underground mine reconciliation is more complex than open pit reconciliation The concept of a common volume for meaningful reconciliation Insights from the Newmont Tanami case study Resource, reserve and production reconciliation Practical recommendations for improving underground reconciliation practices