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

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

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, or investor, this episode offers practical insights into how MREs are prepared, reported, and interpreted - it will help you to... read between the lines!

This podcast at a glance:

00:04 – Introduction and episode focus – MREs in ASX announcements
01:14 – Guest introduction: Matt Walker and his experience with MREs
01:47 – Minimum requirements for reporting an MRE under JORC Code
03:08 – ASX Listing Rules and mandatory disclosure elements
05:00 – Continuous disclosure and minimum vs best practice
06:23 – When and why MREs are announced
08:12 – Red flags and what geologists look for in MREs
10:10 – Peer comparisons, competent person styles, and report 'fingerprints'
11:00 – Internal vs external resource reporting
13:00 – Importance of resource constraint and economic extraction
15:05 – Reading resource classifications and visual representations
17:18 – Use of gram-metres and understanding deposit width
18:03 – Why classification matters – insights from the Parker Challenge
19:31 – Interpolation vs extrapolation in block models
21:00 – Classification confidence and converting to reserves
22:00 – Wrap-up and final thoughts If you would like to contact Tarrant or Matt: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This audio podcast is also available as a free YouTube podcast: https://youtu.be/mRu7ufdck78

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
Prodessional Development courses: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/