Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Ian Glacken and Dr Gregory Zhang explore why mineral resource models and grade control models often fail to reconcile and how convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can help bridge that gap. This is Part 1 of a 2 part series.
The discussion focuses on early-stage resource estimation, sparse drilling data, and how machine learning can learn from dense grade control information to improve confidence, reduce bias, and support better decision-making. Importantly, this approach is positioned as a supplement to sound geology and geostatistics, not a replacement.
Speakers Ian Glacken – Executive Consultant Geology - Snowden Optiro Dr Gregory Zhang – Senior Consultant Geology - Snowden Optiro
Key moments in the episode
00:22 Why resource models and grade control often don't match
02:55 Systematic bias and the limits of traditional reconciliation
04:22 Using CNNs to learn relationships between sparse and dense data
06:02 Treating resource models as 3D images for machine learning
07:18 What CNNs can actually predict in a mining context
10:07 Using grade control areas as calibration zones
12:43 Why AI should supplement, not replace, good geology
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation on applying machine learning responsibly in mineral resource estimation.
If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain.
If you would like to contact Ian or Gregory: [email protected]
Listen on the go:
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available on all major podcast platforms.
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team.
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Senior Consultant Jamie Oppelaar is joined by Dr Gregory Zhang, Senior Consultant at Snowden Optiro, to explore what convolution really means in a geostatistical and mine planning context.
Jamie and Greg walk through how it already shows up in everyday resource estimation workflows. From moving averages and detrending through to kriging residuals and convolutional neural networks, this episode focuses on practical application, not theory for theory's sake.
This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion, laying the foundations for how convolution links classical geostatistics with modern machine learning approaches.
Key topics and timestamps 
00:01 – Introduction to convolution - geostatistics and machine learning
00:21 – Separating geological trend from local variability in grade data
02:26 – Detrending, residuals, and the link to universal kriging
03:15 – Moving averages as a defensible trend model using convolution
03:41 – What convolution actually is, explained practically
05:08 – Choosing window sizes using variograms and cross-validation
05:57 – Stationarity, variograms, and kriging residuals
07:19 – How convolution relates to convolutional neural networks (CNNs)
09:22 – A step-by-step workflow mine geologists can apply with existing data
13:19 – Summary of key ideas and what's coming in Part 2
If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain.
If you would like to contact Gregory or Jaimie: [email protected]
Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available on all major podcast platforms.
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team.
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

In this episode of the Fresh Thinking podcast, Dr Gregory Zhang (Senior Geology Consultant) is joined by Dr Leon Lorenzen (Executive Consultant Metallurgy) to talk about the practical realities of geometallurgy and why linking geology, mineralogy and processing really matters.
The conversation draws on real project experience, highlighting the risks of disconnects between resource models and plant performance, especially for complex ore bodies.
A thoughtful discussion for geologists, metallurgists and mine planners working with increasingly challenging deposits.
Key moments from the episode: 
1:45 – Why geometallurgical models are often created but not used in operations
3:50 – How hardness, mineralogy and recovery should feed into daily plant decisions
6:40 – The challenge of limited data and confidence in geomet modelling
9:10 – Why sulphides, preg-robbing carbon and mineral associations matter
16:50 – When a geometallurgical model really is essential, and when it may not be
If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain.
If you would like to contact Gregory or Leon: [email protected]
Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available on all major podcast platforms - including YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZm0zjSNmpo27fX_tfI79Yzhxy3VXjvMt
 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. Snowden Optiro: 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. Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Tarrant Elkington (General Manager, Snowden Optiro) is joined by Joseph A. Dos Santos (Joe) (Dos Santos International, Marietta, Georgia) to explore high-angle conveying and the sandwich conveyor.
They break down how sandwich conveyors "hug" the material between two belts to move bulk solids up steep inclines, where conventional conveying or trucking can become impractical. The discussion covers how this technology is applied in mining, what it can handle, and what to consider when comparing high-angle conveying against other haulage and lifting options.
Key moments
00:01:05 – What is a sandwich conveyor?
00:02:27 – How sandwich conveyors handle extreme angles (including the "hugging" mechanism). 00:09:09 – Where high-angle conveying fits compared with truck haulage and other systems. 00:21:17 – Real-world scale example: vertical lift, capacity, and what that looks like in practice. 00:40:24 – "Mining on Mars" and why high-angle conveying comes up in off-world concepts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain.
If you would like to contact Tarrant or Joe: [email protected]
Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is available on all major podcast platforms.
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team.
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally - you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms.
Snowden Optiro:
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. Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/
Dos Santos International:
Dos Santos International (DSI) is the world's foremost authority on Sandwich Belt high angle conveyors, founded and led by the inventor of the system, Joseph A. Dos Santos. DSI has been advancing bulk material handling solutions since 1997. With the invention of and advances in Sandwich Belt High Angle Conveyors, the development and utilization of their Expanded Conveyor Technology, and most recently, the patented Adder Snake Conveyors, we're engineering ideal solutions for some of the world's most challenging bulk material handling applications.
Contact: [email protected]

In this episode of the Fresh Thinking Podcast, Principal Consultant Matt Walker (now Senior Resource Geologist with Genesis Minerals) sat down with Snowden Optiro's Executive Consultant Ian Glacken to explore the value of mentoring in geoscience.
Ian reflects on the mentors who shaped his long career, the soft and technical skills geologists need today, and his advice for those aspiring to move into resource geology. Whether you're early in your career or guiding the next generation, this conversation offers practical insights, lessons learned, and industry wisdom.
Key Timestamps
1:00 – Ian's early mentors and their influence
5:31 – The importance of soft skills in geology
7:38 – What makes an effective mentor
8:03 – Advice for aspiring resource geologists
10:43 – Essential skills for modern resource geology
If you would like to contact Ian: [email protected]
🎧 Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking is available on all major podcast platforms – subscribe to never miss an episode!
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team.
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally – you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most other podcast platforms.
Snowden Optiro 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 advance their projects, mining companies improve their operations, and investors de-risk their investments by providing quality advice, training, and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves.
🌐 Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/