Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

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.

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.

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.

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

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