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/

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 or just curious about the lending landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone involved in mine development.

If you would like to contact Tarrant or Bob: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This video podcast is also available as a video podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JfxD5z0QXZU?feature=shared

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/professiona...

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 identifying red flags and understanding the real-world complexity behind the numbers.

This podcast at a glance:

00:20 – What due diligence really means in a processing context

01:30 – Using the process design baseline to evaluate plant performance

03:00 – Why high recoveries can be misleading without throughput context

04:50 – Common red flags: when ounces look good, but costs and feed rates don't

07:00 – The importance of test work and geological input in forecasting

09:30 – Case study: transition from open pit to underground and its impact on throughput

10:00 – Unique risks with new mines and the ramp-up phase

13:00 – Why expertise and independent evaluation are essential for sound investment decisions

If you would like to contact Tarrant and Leon: contact@snowdenoptiro.com

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This video podcast is also available as a free video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube 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 about Snowden Optiro: https://snowdenoptiro.com
Professional Development Training: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/

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 geologist, metallurgist, or investor—this one's essential listening.

This podcast at a glance:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

00:45 – What is refractory gold? And why is it a problem?

02:30 – The role of geology and early detection

04:00 – How refractory ore impacts project economics

05:15 – Overview of processing methods: POX, BIOX, Albion, roasting

07:30 – How to choose the right processing path

09:00 – Real-world examples of refractory gold plants

11:00 – The future: centralised hubs and economic scale

12:30 – Final thoughts and advice for developers and investors

If you'd like to connect with Tarrant and Leon: contact@snowdenoptiro.com

This video podcast is also available as a video podcast on our Snowden Optiro YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SnowdenOptiro

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

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

#mineralprocessing #SnowdenOptiro #FreshThinking #gold #podcast

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 across global reporting codes

⏱️ 01:55 – Introduction to the 90-15 approach for confidence-based classification

⏱️ 04:00 – The dangers of the “spotted dog” effect and how to avoid it

⏱️ 05:21 – Calculating drill spacing the smart way: distance-to-holes technique

⏱️ 07:04 – Alternatives to drill spacing: kriging variance and its limitations

⏱️ 08:00 – Why close spacing doesn’t always mean high confidence

⏱️ 09:01 – The two-indicator approach: origins, application, and benefits

⏱️ 13:01 – Assumptions, limitations, and when to adjust the 90-15 rule

⏱️ 17:00 – When the two-indicator method doesn’t fit: deposit-style considerations

⏱️ 18:00 – What’s coming in Part 2: simulation and scorecard approaches

If you would like to contact Ian and Graeme: contact@snowdenoptiro.com

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This podcast is also available as a cideo on our Snowden Optiro YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/7CqcvRDi9Jw

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

contact@snowdenoptiro.com