When you're creating a resource estimate you need to be sure that you haven't relied on outlier samples. Top cutting (or capping) is a method you can use to reduce the impact of individual samples and produce a more accurate picture of what's in the ground. Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken explains the method, when it is appropriate and what happens when it's not used correctly.

In this episode:

0:44 What is a top cut? 1:10 Why should you use a top cut? 2:03 When and where should you apply a top cut? 2:43 What are the alternatives to top cuts? 3:33 Where are top cuts not appropriate? 4:49 If not everyone believes in it, what is the science behind top cuts? 7:26 Top cuts don't always work out and produce the right results 8:20 Top cuts are an essential method for high variability precious metals, like gold silver and platinum 8:46 Where can people learn more?

For more information:

• Contact Ian Glacken - Optiro Director of Geology: [email protected]
• Optiro website

Links:

• Parker, H.M., 1991. Statistical treatment of outlier data in epithermal gold deposit reserve estimation. Mathematical Geology, v23, no.2, pp175-199.
• Applied Mineral Inventory Estimation by Alastair J. Sinclair,‎ Garston H. Blackwell - https://www.amazon.com.au/Applied-Inventory-Estimation-Alastair-Sinclair/dp/0521021820
• Optiro Training Courses -  https://www.optiro.com/services/training/