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: [email protected]

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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/

[email protected]