In this episode, Danny Tolmer and Gordon Webb explore the complexities of planning and optimising large open pit mines, from defining their scope to tackling long-term challenges and strategic decision-making.

This podcast episode at a glance:

00:05 Introduction to the topic 00:30 Definition of large open pit mines 01:20 Optimisation challenges for large pits 02:30 Selecting pit shells with NPV insensitivity 03:40 Common discount rates for large mines 04:20 Impacts of discount rate choices 05:20 Complexities in large pit operations

Join our experts as they explore the topic of The Importance of Pit Phasing in Open Pit Mine Planning in the episode 94 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Danny or Gordon, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

https://snowdenoptiro.com/ https://snowdenoptiro.com/professionaldevelopment/ [email protected]

In this special episode, recorded at the Datamine Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2024, we're doing something a little different to enhance your listening experience. Instead of our usual two-speaker format, we've brought together a panel of four industry experts to share their collective knowledge, insights, and real-world experiences on one of the most transformative trends in mining: Mine Electrification.

The panel host is Tarrant Elkington – Snowden Optiro General Manager and the speakers are, Sarah de Vries – Snowden Optiro Principal Consultant, Phil Morriss – Snowden Optiro Executive Consultant, and Gavin Mann – Principal Mining Technology South 32.

As the mining industry faces growing pressure to decarbonize, electrification technologies—such as in-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC), trolley assist systems, and battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—are emerging as key solutions to reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safety. Our expert panel dives deep into the opportunities, challenges, and innovations surrounding mine electrification, drawing on case studies and trials from around the globe. By featuring multiple perspectives, we aim to provide you with a richer, more comprehensive understanding of this critical topic.

Whether you're looking to stay ahead of industry trends or explore practical strategies for decarbonization, this episode promises to deliver valuable insights and actionable takeaways. So, sit back, listen in, and let's hear what our panelists have to say about the future of mining!

If you'd like to connect with Tarrant, Sarah and Phil, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This video podcast is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, @Apple Podcasts, @Google Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

https://snowdenoptiro.com https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development [email protected]

In this episode, Susan Havlin, our Managing Consultant Geology and Gregory Zhang, our Senior Geology Consultant explore the impact of trends in resource data, methods to identify and address them, and advanced techniques like principal component analysis and universal kriging to improve estimation accuracy.

This podcast episode at a glance:

00:10 Introduction 00:55 Why trends in data matter 01:42 Common methods to identify trends 03:45 Problems caused by trends in estimation 04:30 Mitigating trends with search parameters 05:25 Principal component analysis and universal kriging 07:55 Applying these methods 09:00 Universal kriging explained 10:45 Using these methods vs domaining 11:55 Limitations of these methods

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Detrending in the episode 92 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Susan and Gregory, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

https://snowdenoptiro.com https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/ [email protected]

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Senior Consultant Dr. Gregory Zhang discuss declustering techniques, their practical applications, and how to address challenges in resource validation.

This podcast episode at a glance:

00:05 Introduction 00:30 The reason to decluster data 01:30 Explanation of how cell declustering works 02:05 Key uncertainties and parameters in cell declustering 03:51 Defining volume in polygonal declustering 06:30 Issues with using nearest-neighbour estimates for declustering 08:10 Solutions for addressing problems with nearest-neighbour models 08:50 Limitations of declustering algorithms and ways to address them 10:45 Summation of the kriging weights technique Join our experts as they explore the topic of 'Declustering Techniques' in the episode 91 of the Fresh Thinking podcast. If you'd like to connect with Ian and Greg, please reach out to them at [email protected]. This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, @Apple Podcasts, @Google Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

In this episode, our experts Tarrant Elkington, General Manager, and Sarah de Vries, Principal Consultant, discuss trolley assist technology and its applications in mining. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:45 What is trolley assist? 01:45 Experience with trolley assist 02:40 Worldwide use of trolley assist 03:00 Challenges and hurdles for implementation 04:20 Suitability for different mine configurations 05:50 Diesel versus power cost considerations 08:10 Integration with battery technology 09:40 Underground applications 11:00 Challenges unique to underground use

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Trolley Assist in the episode 90 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Tarrant and Sarah, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Principal Consultant Frank Blanchfield delve into effective management of mining studies.

They explore the purpose of mining studies, essential success factors, the timing of supporting studies, and practical tips for navigating the entire process.

This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:50 Purpose of doing mining studies 02:10 Key aspects of a successful mining study 04:55 Logistics and timing of supporting studies 09:00 Types of mining studies beyond scoping, pre-feasibility, and feasibility 10:00 Advice for managing mining studies effectively 12:00 Final thoughts

Join our experts as they explore the topic of 'Managing mining studies' in the episode 89 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Ian and Frank, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, @Apple Podcasts, @Google Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

In this episode, our experts Tarrant Elkington, General Manager, and Sarah de Vries, Principal Consultant, discuss the latest advancements in underground mine electrification, including emerging technologies, ventilation and health benefits, economic considerations, and the challenges of transitioning to battery-electric equipment in mining operations. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:50 What is mine electrification? 01:45 What are some of the newer technologies for mine electrification? 03:15 Is it possible to remove almost all diesel from an underground mine? 04:15What are the ventilation benefits of electrifying underground mines? 06:45 Is it economically viable to electrify underground mines? 07:50 What are some of the challenges to making mine electrification work? Join our experts as they explore the topic of Underground Mine Electrification in the episode 88 of the Fresh Thinking podcast. If you'd like to connect with Tarrant and Sarah, please reach out to them at [email protected]. This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

hese podcasts are for those working in the mining industry.

Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

In this episode, Julian Aldridge, Managing Consultant - EMEAA, and Laurie Hassall, Senior Consultant, discuss the critical factors and strategies for managing mining operations near cut-off grades, focusing on efficiency and optimisation. This podcast episode at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:50 Challenges Near the Cut-Off Grade 02:50 Managing Dilution 04:20 Role of Grade Control 06:00 Cost Implications of Mining Near Cut-Off Grades 07:12 Innovative Solutions

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Cut-off Grades in the episode 87 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Julian or Laurie, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry.

Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

In this episode, Danny Tolmer, Regional Manager - North America, and Gordon Webb, Senior Consultant - Mining, explore the critical aspects of open pit mine planning, focusing on pit phasing strategies, optimisation techniques, and the challenges involved in designing efficient, cost-effective phases.

This podcast episode at a glance:

00:05 Introduction to Open Pit Mine Planning and Pit Phasing 01:30 Overview of Open Pit Mine Planning Process 04:10 Explanation of Phases and Their Importance 05:30 Criteria for Choosing Phases 06:50 Sizing Each Phase 09:00 Challenges in Phase Design 10:30 Typical Number of Phases in a Pit 12:00 Indicators for Adding More Phases 14:15 How Software Has Improved Pit Phasing

Join our experts as they explore the topic of The Importance of Pit Phasing in Open Pit Mine Planning in the episode 86 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Danny or Gordon, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This podcast episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.

In this episode, Julian Aldridge, Managing Consultant - EMEAA and Laurie Hassall - Senior Consultant, explore how cut-off grades determine mining profitability by separating ore from waste based on costs and market factors.

This podcast episode at a glance:

000:05 Introduction 00:15 Definition of cut-off grade 01:00 Impact of extraction costs on cut-off grade 02:30 Other variables affecting cut-off grade 03:20 Inclusion of capex in cut-off grade 03:50 Types of cut-off grades 04:36 Calculating cut-off grade for polymetallic ores 06:40 Role of recovery rates in dynamic cut-off grade

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Cut-off Grades in the episode 85 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Julian or Laurie, please reach out to them at [email protected].

This video episode is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Spotify, and @Apple Podcasts.

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry. Snowden Optiro - Mining Advisory, Consulting and Professional Development.