In this episode, our General Manager of Snowden Optiro, Tarrant Elkington and Managing Consultant, Hamish Guthrie discuss the open pit mine planning process.

This podcast at a glance: 00:05 Introduction 00:52 Defining what an open pit mine plan entails. 01:10 Reason and motivation behind creating mine plans 02:00 Process of creating an open pit mine plan 03:50 Expected outcomes of a typical mine plan 04:50 Addressing the time required for completing a mine plan 05:55 Discussion of frequency of updating mine plans 06:55 Exploring whether the mine planning process varies across different commodities 08:30 Recapitulating the key points covered in the discussion

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Open Pit Mine Planning Process in the episode 62 of the Fresh Thinking podcast. 

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

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

Please look for Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro.

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, join our International Regional Manager Julian Aldridge and Senior Consultant Laurie Hassall as they discuss all the specifics of the copper mining commodity. 

This podcast at a glance: 00:08 Introduction 00:40 Explanation of what copper is and its application 03:07 The geological environments and deposits styles commonly associated with copper 04:30 Discussion about where copper deposits are found around the world 05:45 Discussion about untapped areas with future potential for copper deposits 06:25 Explanation of how copper is typically found through exploration and mined 08:20 The metallurgical and mineralogical considerations related to copper 10:00 Discussion on experience with copper projects and their specifics 11:40 Explanation how copper is typically estimated and special considerations 14:30 Thoughts on the future of copper

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Commodity Series – Copper in the episode 60 of the Fresh Thinking podcast. 

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

This 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.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, join our International Regional Manager Julian Aldridge and Senior Consultant Laurie Hassall as they explore the nuances of working     with the tungsten commodity.

This podcast at a glance:

00:08 Introduction 00:45 Explanation of what tungsten is and its applications 02:18 The geological environments and deposit styles commonly associated with tungsten 03:50 Discussion about where tungsten deposits are found around the world 04:35 Explanation of how tungsten is typically found through exploration 06:00 The metallurgical and mineralogical considerations related to tungsten 08:20 How tungsten is typically mined 09:40 How tungsten is typically estimated 13:00 Special considerations to be aware of in modeling.

Join our experts as they explore the topic of Commodity Podcast Series – Tungsten in the episode 59 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

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

This 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.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, join Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Principal Geostatistician Dr. Oscar Rondon as they explore the top cutting strategy for resource estimation.

This podcast at a glance:

Oscar introduces this podcast and the speaker Ian Glacken.

00:05 Oscar introduces this podcast and the speaker Ian Glacken. 00:57 Ian describes the importance of a top cut strategy in Resource Estimation. 02:55 Ian discusses the approaches used for selecting a top cut value. 06:25 Ian examines the alternatives to the mentioned approaches and their rationale. 12:05 Ian shares his thoughts on why some practitioners endorse reconciliation as a suitable guide for selecting the top cut value.

Join our experts as they explore the top cutting strategy for resource estimation in episode 57 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

If you'd like to connect with Ian and Oscar, 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.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, join General Manager Tarrant Elkington and Allan Earl, Executive Consultant as they discuss the mining aspects of Technical Due Diligence.

This podcast at a glance:

0:10 Tarrant introduces the speaker, Allan Earl, and outlines the podcast topic.

1:00 Allan provides an overview of Technical Due Diligence in the mining industry.  2:35 Allan delves into the initial aspects considered when commencing a Technical Due Diligence review. 4:30 When all data is organized, Allan discusses the initial focal points, starting with underground mines. 12:00 Allan elaborates on the distinctions in technical due diligence for open-pit mines. 14:07 Allan clarifies whether his due diligence process primarily involves data review or other tasks. 17:10 Allan compares and contrasts due diligence requirements between operating and developed mines. Join our experts as they explore the topic of electrification in episode 56 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

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

This 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.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, join General Manager Tarrant Elkington and Danny Tolmer, Regional Manager for North Americas as they discuss the electrification of the mining process. 

This podcast at a glance:

0:04 Tarrant introduces the podcast and our speaker, Danny Tolmer.  0:58 Danny explores mine electrification and its connection to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.  2:36 Danny explores various technologies utilized for mine electrification. 2:38 Danny discusses technologies such as in-pit crushing, trolley assist, rail systems, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery electric. 4:46 Danny explains the reasons behind the reduction in energy consumption. 6:45 Danny examines the factors influencing the applicability of these technologies in a mine. 9:52 Danny sheds light on the trends and adoption of these technologies.

Join our experts as they explore the topic of electrification in episode 56 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

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

This podcast is also available as an audio podcast on @Libsyn, @Apple Podcasts, @Google Podcasts. These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, join Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Principal Geostatistician Dr. Oscar Rondon as they explore the applications of Conditional Simulation in a two-part series.

This is the second final episode.

00:00 Ian introduces this podcast and the speaker Dr Oscar Rondon.  01:15 Oscar addresses the topic of Resource Classification in more detail. 02:00 Ian emphasizes the essential role of geological continuity and the need for expert consideration beyond simulation in the classification process. 02:55 Ian introduces the concept of using single realisation for simulations. 03:30 Oscar explains applications for using single realisation for simulations. 04:25 Ian further highlights the core process of simulating with sparse data, generating realizations, emphasizing the critical selection of one that accurately reflects the input data, and discusses methods for verification. 06:30 Oscar underscores the importance of defining the simulation's purpose before running it, while Ian expands on strategies for situations where relying on a single realisation feels uncomfortable. 07:30 Ian discusses one case study in which he participated as a member of the Advisory Group at Snowden Optiro. 09:45 Oscar provides an interesting case study example from a period when the multivariate simulation component was not yet available in Supervisor. 10:55 Ian briefly explains the concept of Multivariate Simulation which will might be a topic for another podcast.

Join our experts as they explore the PART 2 of applications of Conditional Simulation in episode 55 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

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

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

These podcasts are for those working in the mining industry.

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, join Executive Consultant Ian Glacken and Principal Geostatistician Dr. Oscar Rondon as they explore the applications of Conditional Simulation in a two-part series.

This is the first episode.

This podcast at a glance:

0:30 Ian starts the podcast, introducing the topic and explaining what Conditional Simulation means briefly.  1:35 Oscar talks about the concept of simulation, specifically focusing on the idea of the space of uncertainty. 03:22 Ian moves on to discuss applications of simulation, emphasizing the importance of the group of realizations. 03:50 Oscar covers various things people might explore in the realm of applications. 04:30 Oscar explains the types of statistics that can be performed with the suite of realisations. 05:00 Oscar goes deeper, explaining what a transfer function is. 06:00 Ian provides examples of the most common applications of simulations. 06:20 Oscar and Ian talk about the difference between simulation and estimation. 08:20 Ian shifts to simulating geological uncertainty. 09:05 Oscar explains how to approach simulating both geological and grade uncertainty. 10:20 Ian introduces resource classification as one application involving multiple simulations and realisations. 11:30 Ian explains the difference between classifications in the JORC code and those used in simulations.

Join our experts as they explore the PART 1 of applications of Conditional Simulation in episode 54 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

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

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Technical Writer Kiara Allessio and Principal Geostatistician Dr. Oscar Rondon come together to discuss Conditional Simulation — exploring what it is and why it is crucial for Resource Estimation.

This podcast at a glance: 00:00: Kiara introduces the episode and the speaker Oscar Rondon. 00:23: Oscar explains why Conditional Simulation matters for Mineral Resource Estimation. 01:00: Oscar stresses the importance of turning data into a Gaussian distribution after initial data analysis. 02:07: Oscar answers whether the transformation is needed for normally distributed data. 02:35: Kiara introduces different simulation methods available for Conditional Simulation. 03:11: Oscar shares insights on selecting the right simulation method. 04:30: Oscar provides general guidelines on setting up Conditional Simulation. 05:55: Oscar explains why conditional simulation is crucial for assessing uncertainty in mining. 06:47: Oscar discusses the difference in assessing grade versus geology in Conditional Simulation. 07:30: Oscar talks about errors people often make in Conditional Simulation. 08:50: Kiara wraps up the discussion.

Join our experts as they explore this fascinating subject of Conditional Simulation in episode 53 of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

f you'd like to connect with Kiara and Oscar, please reach out to them at [email protected].

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, our Managing Director Tarrant Elkington and Executive Consultant Michael Andrew discuss the topic of Technical Due Diligence and its role for geology and mineral resources.

This podcast at a glance:

00:00: Tarrant introduces the episode and the speaker Michael Andrew  00:50: Mike provides a high-level overview of Technical Due Diligence for geology and mineral resources.  03:30: Mike talks about what he looks for when starting a Technical Due Diligence review.  05:50: The discussion turns to the priorities when all the data is organized and what elements are examined first. 07:15: Mike explores the best practices for validating a resource, including a check estimate. 11:30: The conversation shifts to exploring potential opportunities or upsides, challenging the perception of Due Diligence as solely a downside. 15:50: The importance of site visits in the context of Due Diligence is emphasized. 18:30: Tarrant wraps up the discussion.

Join our experts as they explore this fascinating subject of Technical Due Diligence of the Fresh Thinking podcast.

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