Underground grade control is different from open pit grade control and to take you through the depths of their experiences, Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken and geometallurgist Simon Dominy discuss the topic, covering techniques and methods.

In this episode:

1:00 How is underground grade control different to open pit? 1:47 How does the mining methods used in underground mining affect the way you'd do grade control? 2:53 Do we need to use a wider range of techniques for underground grade control than in open pit? 3:43 Is face sampling, channel sampling or chip sampling, a waste of time? 6:10 How can understanding the geology contribute to better underground grade control technique? 9:21 Where could people go next to learn more about underground mine grade control and sampling?

For more information:

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

Links:

• Dominy, S.C., Glass, H.J., O’Connor, L., Lam, C.K., Purevgerel, S. and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2018. Integrating the Theory of Sampling into underground mine grade control strategies. Minerals, 8(232)
• Dominy, S.C., Glass, H.J., O’Connor, L., Lam, C.K. and Purevgerel, S. 2019. Integrating the Theory of Sampling into underground mine grade control strategies: case studies from gold operations. Minerals, 9(238)
• Dominy, S.C., Platten, I.M., Xie, Y. and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2011. Underground grade control protocol design: case study from the Liphichi gold project, Larecaja, Bolivia. App. Earth Sci., 119, 205-219

It is visually very attractive, but getting an accurate grade for coarse gold isn't straight forward. If you've used the wrong techniques, your estimate could be way off. World expert in this field Simon Dominy joins Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken to discuss what you could do to make sure you're reporting the right grade from your samples.

In this episode:

1:15 Let's clarify - what is coarse gold? 2:58 What deposits in Australia are classified as coarse gold? 4:06 It's visually appealing, but what are the downsides of coarse gold and what is the nugget effect? 6:32 What issues are there with assaying coarse gold? And what are some of the techniques? 11:18 What are remote assaying techniques and what are the opportunities for that? 12:47 What are the things you can do if you've got a coarse gold problem? 14:44 Are there any other places to read more about coarse gold?

For more information:

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

The relatively new practice of geometallurgy is giving miners an additional tool to employ in their search for viable mineral reserves. Dr. Simon Dominy, an old friend of Optiro's and a leading geometallurgist joins Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken to discuss the discipline and how it's being used in industry. 

In this episode:

1:32 What are the differences between geometallurgy, geology and metallurgy? 2:40 If you're going to be a geometallurgist, should you start out as a geologist or a metallurgist? 3:43 What are the sorts of problems we can tackle with geometallurgy? 4:41 You've talked about two types of geomet: strategic and tactical. What is the difference? 7:29 What's the relationship between geometallurgy and environmental management? 8:38 What is 'mine to mill' in the context of geometallurgy? 9:44 What would you characterise as a geomet block model? 11:29 Looking forward, what are the challenges going to be in geometallurgy? 13:35 Are all companies going to be able to benefit from geomet or is it only for the big companies? 14:37 Where can people find more information on the subject?

For more information:

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

Links:

Dominy SC, O’Connor L, Parbhakar-Fox A, Glass HJ, Purevgerel. S. 2018. Geometallurgy – a route to more resilient mine operations. Minerals, 8(560)

Consulting as a geologist in the mining industry is a very rewarding career, but what about the clients?! How can a great relationship with a client make a job successful, or a terrible relationship make a project head south? Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken spills the beans on some of the experiences he's had throughout his career, revealing the good, the bad and the ugly.

In this episode:

1:07 What's the worst job you've ever worked on? 2:20 So what constitutes a good job for you? 3:57 How does a relationship with a client impact on the job? 8:37 How important is communication with the client? 9:58 What would your advice be for people looking to get into consulting in geology and the mining industry?

For more information:

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

Due Diligence is an important process to undertake when acquiring a mineral asset, but how do you know if you're getting it right and if it's protecting you from issues down the line? In this episode, the final part of a four part series, Managing Director of Optiro Mark Warren shares some of his experiences around Due Diligence, illustrating that it's not always straight forward.

In this episode:

1:02 If I'm buying a mineral asset, what should I hope to get out of due diligence? 9:58 What are some of the things you've seen where sellers haven't put themselves in a good light?

For more information:

• Contact Mark Warren - Managing Director at Optiro - [email protected]
• Optiro website

Due Diligence is an important process to undertake when acquiring a mineral asset, but how do you know if you're getting it right and if it's protecting you from issues down the line? In this episode, part three of a four part series, Managing Director of Optiro Mark Warren explores the Due Diligence process and how to keep it swift.

In this episode:

0:52 What are the steps in the due diligence process? 5:56 What is a data room? 10:07 How long does a due diligence typically take? 11:28 The level of detail can also vary a lot per assignment in due diligence

For more information:

• Contact Mark Warren - Managing Director at Optiro - [email protected]
• Optiro website
• Corporate services

Due Diligence is an important process to undertake when acquiring a mineral asset, but how do you know if you're getting it right and if it's protecting you from issues down the line? In this episode, part two of a four part series, Managing Director of Optiro Mark Warren explores the scoping of Due Diligence, ensuring you have all the right people in the room to get a good result.

In this episode:

1:01 To understand the scope, what are some things included in a technical due diligence? 2:53 A broad list of functions are required in a due diligence. How do you cover off all the requirements? 4:49 The board is going to want updates on the due diligence. What should I report back to them? 6:30 We've focussed on technical aspects of due diligence, but are there any other factors to worry about? 8:03 What sort of tools do you need to complete a technical due diligence? 11:44 Does each due diligence look the same or does it vary asset to asset?

For more information:

• Contact Mark Warren - Managing Director at Optiro - [email protected]
• Optiro website

Due Diligence is an important process to undertake when acquiring a mineral asset, but how do you know if you're getting it right and if it's protecting you from issues down the line? In this episode, part one of a four part series, Managing Director of Optiro Mark Warren explores some fundamental questions around Due Diligence.

In this episode:

1:01 Give us some background - how long have you been involved in DDs? 1:57 So what is due diligence? Is it just doing your homework? 3:55 Does the standard definition of 'due diligence' apply to mineral assets? 7:00 So how does it apply to mineral assets? 7:46 When and why would you undertake due diligence?

For more information:

• Contact Mark Warren - Managing Director at Optiro - [email protected]
• Optiro website

Seeing all the information you need to make a decision on one screen can be a powerful tool for management. Reconciliation dashboards are becoming more popular with miners who want to have all the information available for each stakeholder in the process. Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken boils down the essence of these dashboards in this episode and explains the good practices he has seen around the world and what they allow miners to do.

In this episode:

0:52 What is the concept of a dashboard? 2:52 Dashboards have come a long way in business in the last ten years, but why are they particularly appropriate for reconciliation? 6:02 What are some of the good things you've seen in reconciliation dashboards? 10:08 Can dashboards also be used for compliance to plan? 11:22 How do you get started with dashboards in your company? 12:45 Where can people go to find examples of excellent dashboards?

For more information:

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

Further reading:

• Envisioning Information - Edward R Tufte, Graphic Press, 2008.

It's time to go deeper on accuracy and precision in the context of quality control of geological data. In the second half of this two-part series, we explore precision: Optiro's Principal Consultant Paul Blackney goes into detail on precision and why it matters when sampling.

In this episode:

0:56 What is an acceptable level of precision for sample grade data? 5:33 What happens when your grade precision is not consistent with what you were expecting?

For more information:

• Contact Paul Blackney - Principal Consultant at Optiro: [email protected]
• Optiro website