Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

• Ep 118: Resurrecting Gold Projects - The Data Dilemma

  With gold prices at record highs, many companies are looking to breathe new life into historic gold projects - but it’s not as simple as picking up where someone else left off. In this episode, Snowden Optiro’s Susan Havlin (Managing Consultant) chats with Jane Levett, Principal Consultant, about the data challenges, validation methods, and practical steps required before an historical project can be re-estimated or brought back into production. Whether you're a junior explorer or a seasoned mining professional, this episode offers critical insights into what makes or breaks a resource estimate on old ground. Key points:  00:00 – Introduction: Why historic gold projects are attracting attention 01:00 – Common data quality issues in legacy projects 02:15 – What to check before approaching a consultant 03:00 – The importance of QAQC and how to validate missing data 04:00 – Twin drilling: When, why, and how much 05:20 – Sampling strategies for validating historic holes 06:00 – Selecting which holes to twin (and why geology matters) 07:00 – Using old geological mapping and historical reports 08:00 – Why RAB and aircore drilling may not be reliable 09:00 – The role of survey data in updating pit models 09:50 – Classification risks: What happens without verifiable data 10:30 – Density, depletion and due diligence 11:00 – Final advice: Don’t rush in just because gold prices are high 🔗 Subscribe for more insights from Snowden Optiro’s consultants and industry experts. 👍 Like, comment, and share to pass this information on to those who might be interested in this topic. If you would like to contact Susan or Jane: 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 contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com  https://snowdenoptiro.com/ #GoldProjects #MiningData #ResourceEstimation #QAQC #FreshThinking #SnowdenOptiro #MiningPodcast

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• Ep 117: The Hidden Number That Changes Your Mine Plan. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

  In this episode of our Fresh Thinking podcast, Pedro Ladiera our Senior Consultant chats with Tarrant Elkington our General Manager about the vertical rate of advance (VRA) - a critical but often overlooked parameter in open pit mine planning. They talk through how VRA affects everything from waste stripping and ore access to project risk and optimisation. They cover: What VRA actually means in practice How it varies by commodity, mining method, and equipment When pushing the limits might actually work - and when it’s just too risky  A few highlights: ⏱️ 1:01 – Why VRA matters when you’re still mining waste ⏱️ 4:57 – Real-world examples of high and low VRA rates ⏱️ 9:03 – Should you design to what’s possible, or what’s actually needed? ⏱️ 13:27 – What happens when grade control slows things down ⏱️ 16:01 – Is simulation worth the effort? Whether you're doing strategic mine design or reviewing a study, this one's a useful listen. Julian Poniewierski paper: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/observation-sink-rates-open-pit-mining-vertical-rate-poniewierski/ 🔔 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 Tarrant and Pedro: 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 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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