Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

• Ep 116: From Models to Money: Getting Resource Estimates Right

  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 geologist, estimator, and investor should hear. Whether you're a resource geologist, a mining executive, or just curious how models turn into mines... this episode is for you.  Episode Highlights & Timestamps 1:12 – Why good geology is always step one 2:00 – The hidden weakness: poor analysis of grade population 2:54 – “Push-button” modelling and what it misses 4:01 – Lessons from Detour Gold 5:09 – Capping gone wrong: real examples and consequences 6:30 – The problem with grade shells that ignore geology 7:43 – Is search-radius capping a solution or a trap? 9:02 – Why operational experience sharpens estimation instincts 10:00 – Getting composite length right (and why defaults don’t work) 11:06 – Domains, domains, domains: the heart of good estimation 12:04 – Gold price surges, rushed feasibility studies, and risky shortcuts 13:10 – When prices drop, your resource estimate better hold up 13:47 – Wrapping up: optimism about the next generation in mining 🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes 👍 Like, comment, and share to pass this information on to those who might be interested in this topic. If you would like to contact Ian and Bob: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Libsyn and all your favourite podcast platforms. Who we are: Snowden Optiro is a resources consulting and advisory group that provides independent advice, consulting and training to mining and exploration companies, their advisors and investors. We help mine developers to advance their projects, mining companies to improve their operations and their professionals, and investors to de-risk their investments by the provision of quality advice, training and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves. For training or consulting enquiries: training(at)snowdenoptiro.com and contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com https://snowdenoptiro.com/

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• Ep 115: What Resource Geologists Need to Know About Mine Planning. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

  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 modelling can have major downstream implications. Whether you're a resource geologist, mine planner, or simply curious about how modelling feeds into real-world mining strategies, this episode offers practical takeaways and fresh thinking. Key Points Covered 00:04 – Introduction 01:05 – The typical workflow of mine planning 02:00 – Why modifying factors and mining constraints matter 03:01 – Resource classifications: how confidence impacts planning 05:00 – Adding more detail to the resource model: is it worth it? 06:00 – Should we model waste domains? 07:25 – What mine planners really want from geologists 08:30 – Including depletion, sterilised zones and geotechnical data 09:30 – ESG and the importance of understanding waste rock behaviour 10:00 – Geological inputs that influence plant performance 11:00 – Why even limited early data is valuable 11:40 – Final thoughts and podcast close 🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes 👍 Like, comment, and share to pass this information on to those who might be interested in this topic. If you would like to contact Greg and Hamish: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more straight-talking episodes from the world of mining and geology. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Libsyn and all your favourite podcast platforms. Snowden Optiro is a resources consulting and advisory group that provides independent advice, consulting and training to mining and exploration companies, their advisors and investors. We help mine developers to advance their projects, mining companies to improve their operations and their professionals, and investors to de-risk their investments by the provision of quality advice, training and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves. For training or consulting enquiries: training(at)snowdenoptiro.com  and  contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com https://snowdenoptiro.com/

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• Ep 114: The Cutoff Grade Strategy That Can Boost Your NPV by 20%

  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 strategies can unlock significant long-term value - sometimes increasing NPV by 20% or more. Key Moments: 0:34 – What is a marginal vs. optimised cutoff grade?  1:57 – Why higher cutoffs can increase NPV 3:59 – Open pit vs. underground implications 6:02 – The role of opportunity cost and processing constraints 8:46 – Costs and downsides of elevating cutoff grades 12:14 – Life-of-mine length and its influence on optimisation 16:03 – Stockpiling as a strategic asset 19:04 – Real-world impact: 20% NPV uplift 20:26 – Operational challenges and practical implementation Takeaway: Cutoff grade optimisation isn’t just a technical tweak - it’s a powerful lever for mine value that deserves more attention in strategic planning. If you would like to contact Tarrant and Pedro: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more straight-talking episodes from the world of mining and geology. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Libsyn and all your favourite platforms. Snowden Optiro is a resources consulting and advisory group that provides independent advice, consulting and training to mining and exploration companies, their advisors and investors. We help mine developers to advance their projects, mining companies to improve their operations and their professionals, and investors to de-risk their investments by the provision of quality advice, training and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves. Find out more at: https://snowdenoptiro.com/ Professional Development Training: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/

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• Ep 113: Measured? Not so fast! Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

  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 model and thought “is that really right?” - this one’s worth a listen. In this episode:  Why domaining is still critical — and why software can’t always do the thinking for you How over-relying on grade shells can send you down the wrong path The myth of “one density sample per domain” Why classification is about more than just drill spacing How ignoring geological controls can throw your whole model off What kriging metrics and estimation quality can (and can’t) tell you Don’t forget to Subscribe for more straight-talking episodes from the world of mining and geology. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro podcasts are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Libsyn and all your favourite platforms.  Snowden Optiro is a resources consulting and advisory group that provides independent advice, consulting and training to mining and exploration companies, their advisors and investors. We help mine developers to advance their projects, mining companies to improve their operations and their professionals, and investors to de-risk their investments by the provision of quality advice, training and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves. Find out more at: https://snowdenoptiro.com/ Training: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/ #FreshThinking #SnowdenOptiro #GeologyPodcast #ResourceEstimation #MiningGeology #JORC #Geostats #Domaining #MiningData #MineralResources

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• Episode 112: Financing Mines: The Investment Bank Role. Part 2

  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, or just curious about how major mining projects get funded, this episode has something for you. Key Moments 00:04 – Introduction and welcome 01:06 – What do investment banks actually do in mining? 02:58 – The technical expertise needed in investment banking 04:50 – The value investment banks bring to project development 06:30 – Equity vs. M&A: How banks support mining at different stages 08:00 – The link between technical confidence and funding success 09:04 – How junior miners can engage investment banks 10:35 – Do investors really understand mining? (Spoiler: Yes!) 12:00 – Lessons from working on both sides—operations and banking 13:15 – Final thoughts and why operational experience matters Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and click the 🔔 notification bell to stay updated with more technical insights from the world of mining. If you would like to contact either Tarrant or Bob: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro podcasts are available as audio on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Libsyn and all your favourite platforms - and also available as a video podcast on YouTube on our Snowden Optiro channel. Snowden Optiro is a resources consulting and advisory group that provides independent advice, consulting and training to mining and exploration companies, their advisors and investors. We help mine developers to advance their projects, mining companies to improve their operations and their professionals, and investors to de-risk their investments by the provision of quality advice, training and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves. Find out more at: https://snowdenoptiro.com/ Training: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/ #MiningFinance #InvestmentBanking #MiningIndustry #FreshThinkingPodcast #SnowdenOptiro #JuniorMiners #MiningInsights #ProjectFunding #CapitalMarkets

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