Electrifying Open Pits: The Challenges and Opportunities of Going Battery-Powered

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Sarah de Vries (Principal Consultant) is joined by Paul Lucey, Director at Project 412, to discuss the state of play for electrification in open pit haulage.

With a background spanning autonomy, AI, and future mining systems, Paul brings a clear-eyed perspective to the evolving technology landscape - from ultraclass battery-electric trucks and hybrids, to the infrastructure hurdles that come with ditching diesel.

Episode Highlights: 

0:04 – Introduction: Meet Sarah de Vries and Paul Lucey 0:45 – Battery-electric trucks: Are they ready for open pit mining? 1:29 – The real challenge: Charging infrastructure, not the trucks 3:00 – Why supporting infrastructure costs more than the trucks themselves 4:01 – What's happening with battery chemistries (LTO, LFP, NMC)? 4:22 – Can dynamic charging replace traditional trolley assist? 5:17 – Why relocatable charging systems might be the future 5:46 – Are diesel-electric hybrids a smarter near-term solution? 7:06 – Why 2027 is a critical milestone for implementation 8:11 – Why underground is ahead — and what’s holding open pits back 8:47 – Smart fleet management: the low-hanging fruit for emissions cuts 9:44 – Adding AI to your trucks: 7–15% efficiency gains 10:06 – Closing thoughts

Whether you're planning decarbonisation strategies, watching battery tech evolve, or just want to know where things really stand - this episode is packed with practical insight.

Contact: If you would like to contact either Sarah or Paul: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com

More info: https://snowdenoptiro.com

You can find our Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms.

👍 Like, comment and subscribe for more insights from the team at Snowden Optiro.

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

#MineElectrification #OpenPitMining #BatteryElectricTrucks #MiningInnovation #PaulLucey #Project412 #FreshThinkingPodcast #SnowdenOptiro #Mining #MiningIndustry #FreshThinking

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, host Tarrant Elkington (Snowden Optiro General Manager) chats with Pedro Ladiera (Senior Consultant Mining) about one of mine planning’s most critical (and misunderstood) decisions - the final pit.

They explore the technical and economic logic behind pit optimisation, from the use of Lerchs-Grossmann and Pseudoflow algorithms to the importance of discounting by depth, and why your first five years of mining might matter more than the final pit itself.

Pedro also introduces Direct Block Scheduling as a powerful alternative for blending and sequencing - and they both reflect on how sensitive infrastructure placement is to assumptions that may change over time.

Key Points & Timestamps:

0:16 – What is a final pit, and why does it matter? 2:00 – The role of the final pit in mine design, scheduling, and infrastructure layout 3:09 – Pit optimisation methods: Lerchs-Grossmann & Pseudoflow algorithms 5:30 – Revenue factors and nested pit shells explained 6:38 – Why the “optimal” shell may not maximise NPV 9:01 – Using depth discounting to choose better shells 10:01 – Introduction to Direct Block Scheduling 13:45 – Infrastructure regret: what happens when pits grow beyond expectation 15:00 – Why several pit options may yield similar value — and how that shapes decision-making 16:42 – Final pit vs. starter pit: where planners should really focus 17:54 – When to lean toward revenue factor 1, and when to consider strategic alternatives

You can find our Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms.

👍 Like, comment and subscribe for more insights from the team at Snowden Optiro.

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

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/

#MiningPodcast #MinePlanning #FinalPit #PitOptimisation #NPV #LerchsGrossmann #DirectBlockScheduling #SnowdenOptiro #FreshThinking #Geology #MiningEngineering

What if your mine plan is giving you a false sense of security?

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Dr Gregory Zhang is joined by Dr Tarrant Elkington, General Manager of Snowden Optiro, to discuss the shift from traditional deterministic planning to stochastic mine planning - and why it matters more than ever.

They explore what stochastic planning really is, how it can improve confidence in your production forecasts, and why the mining industry has been slow to adopt it despite decades of development.

Key Topics:

00:04 – Introduction: Traditional vs. stochastic mine planning 02:33 – What is stochastic planning and how is it different? 04:00 – Real-world benefits: From robust forecasts to better design 06:19 – Why industry adoption has been slow 09:35 – The challenge of conditional simulations in practical workflows 11:23 – Insights from ASX market announcements and reporting methods 12:52 – Why mining engineers don’t use geological simulations (yet) 13:57 – Is using one realisation enough? 15:16 – Open pit vs. underground: different design approaches 17:00 – Bridging the gap with better models and tools 18:30 – The rise of COSMO & other stochastic tools 19:05 – Being pragmatic: How to link theory to real-world value

🔗 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favourite podcast platforms.

👍 Like, comment and subscribe for more insights from the team at Snowden Optiro.

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

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/

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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