Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

What do banks look for before funding a mining project?

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Tarrant Elkington is joined by our Executive Consultant Bob Jankovic to explore the technical side of mining finance. With over 35 years' experience across North and South America, and deep expertise inside major banks, Bob offers a rare look behind the scenes of what lenders expect from feasibility studies, resource models, and risk assessments.

Whether you're preparing to raise capital or just curious about the lending landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone involved in mine development.

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

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This video podcast is also available as a video podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JfxD5z0QXZU?feature=shared

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/professiona...

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Senior Consultant Dr Gregory Zhang and Executive Consultant Ian Glacken explore more advanced mineral resource classification methods.

Building on Part 1, they discuss the widely used 90/15 approach, delve into the role of scorecards, and discuss how classification should go beyond drill spacing alone. A practical conversation for geologists, resource modellers, and anyone involved in technical reporting.

This podcast at a glance:

00:45 – What is the 90/15 approach and how is it applied?

02:50 – Production volumes and how they link to confidence levels

05:00 – Why drill spacing alone isn't enough

06:50 – Conditional simulation and its role in classification

07:55 – Introduction to the scorecard method

10:50 – Strengths and subjectivity in the scorecard approach

11:45 – Real-world case study applying 90/15 and scorecards

13:00 – Final thoughts on classification beyond simple metrics

If you would like to contact Ian and Gregory: [email protected]

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This video version of this podcast is available on Snowden Optiro YouTube 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/professiona...

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Dr Tarrant Elkington Snowden Optiro's General Manager, speaks with Dr Leon Lorenzen about the critical role of metallurgical and processing due diligence in mining projects. They explore how process plants are evaluated, why throughput is often a hidden risk, and the challenges of forecasting performance in both operating and new mines. Whether you're reviewing an acquisition or building a new operation, this discussion provides valuable insight into identifying red flags and understanding the real-world complexity behind the numbers.

This podcast at a glance:

00:20 – What due diligence really means in a processing context

01:30 – Using the process design baseline to evaluate plant performance

03:00 – Why high recoveries can be misleading without throughput context

04:50 – Common red flags: when ounces look good, but costs and feed rates don't

07:00 – The importance of test work and geological input in forecasting

09:30 – Case study: transition from open pit to underground and its impact on throughput

10:00 – Unique risks with new mines and the ramp-up phase

13:00 – Why expertise and independent evaluation are essential for sound investment decisions

If you would like to contact Tarrant and Leon: [email protected]

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

This video podcast is also available as a free video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube 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 about Snowden Optiro: https://snowdenoptiro.com Professional Development Training: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/

In this Fresh Thinking episode, we're discussing one of mining's toughest technical challenges: refractory gold ores.

Dr Tarrant Elkington, Snowden Optiro General Manager sits down with metallurgical expert Dr Leon Lorenzen to explore why some gold refuses to come quietly, and the high-stakes processing paths needed to recover it. From pressure oxidation to bioleaching and ultrafine grinding, this episode uncovers the costs, complexities, and future of refractory ore treatment.

If you're a geologist, metallurgist, or investor—this one's essential listening.

This podcast at a glance:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

00:45 – What is refractory gold? And why is it a problem?

02:30 – The role of geology and early detection

04:00 – How refractory ore impacts project economics

05:15 – Overview of processing methods: POX, BIOX, Albion, roasting

07:30 – How to choose the right processing path

09:00 – Real-world examples of refractory gold plants

11:00 – The future: centralised hubs and economic scale

12:30 – Final thoughts and advice for developers and investors

If you'd like to connect with Tarrant and Leon: [email protected]

This video podcast is also available as a video podcast on our Snowden Optiro YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SnowdenOptiro

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

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/

#mineralprocessing #SnowdenOptiro #FreshThinking #gold #podcast

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]

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking about the mining industry.

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]

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken interviews Senior Mining Consultant Pedro Ladeira on a topic that's often overlooked—but critically important: fixed costs in strategic mine planning.

This podcast at a glance:

00:00 – Introduction: Why fixed costs matter in mine planning

01:00 – How variable costs are typically applied in mine plans

02:20 – What are conditional fixed costs and why they matter

03:50 – Impact of fixed costs on strategic planning and scheduling

05:10 – Reclaiming low-grade stockpiles and the role of fixed cost reduction

06:30 – Fixed vs variable costs in processing plants

07:45 – Stockpiling strategy and mine life optimisation

08:50 – When to start accounting for fixed costs in planning

09:30 – Final thoughts: Using fixed costs to optimise your NPV

This is a must-listen for anyone involved in mine planning, financial modelling, or operational strategy.

If you would like to contact Pedro or Ian: [email protected]

🔔 Subscribe for more Fresh Thinking on mining strategy, geology, and resource optimisation.

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

https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/

#MinePlanning #MiningStrategy #FixedCosts #NPV #MiningPodcast #SnowdenOptiro #FreshThinking

In this episode of Snowden Optiro's Fresh Thinking podcast, host Pedro Ladeira (Senior Consultant) is joined by Hamish Guthrie (Managing Consultant, Mining Engineering) to explore the critical role of cut-off grades in mining. From defining what a cut-off grade is to explaining how it's applied across different operations and project stages, they discuss the strategic, economic, and technical factors that make this small number a big deal.

If you would like to contact either Hamish or Pedro: [email protected]

This Podcast at a Glance

🕒 0:21 – Why cut-off grade is a critical input in mine planning and production

🕒 0:51 – What a cut-off grade is and how it helps define economic inventory

🕒 1:56 – Differences in how cut-off grade is applied in open pit vs. underground mining

🕒 3:34 – How cut-off grades are used at different project stages: resources, planning, daily operations

🕒 4:18 – What goes into calculating a cut-off grade: revenue, cost, taxes, and recoveries

🕒 5:53 – Are cut-off grades fixed? When and why they change over time

🕒 7:00 – The importance of aligning cut-off grade strategy with orebody characteristics

🕒 8:13 – How mining method and processing route influence the cut-off grade

🕒 8:50 – Why cut-off grade is never static — and how operations review it regularly

🕒 9:29 – Final take: the cut-off grade as a key to both short-term gains and long-term sustainability

This video podcast is also available as a free video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube 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.

https://snowdenoptiro.com

https://snowdenoptiro.com/professiona...

[email protected]

Discover how Cornwall's rich mining history shaped the global mining industry. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Executive Consultant Ian Glacken chats with Senior Consultant Laurie Hassall about the legacy of Cornish mining. From tin and copper to tungsten, they explore the region's innovations, the export of mining expertise worldwide, and what the future holds for mining in Cornwall.

If you'd like to connect with Laurie Hassall and Ian Glacken, please email them: [email protected]

This podcast at a glance: 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guests 00:48 – Why Cornwall became a mining hub and its early beginnings 01:50 – The peak of Cornish mining: key periods and metals 03:53 – Ingenious innovations from Cornish miners (steam engines, safety lamps & more) 05:54 – How Cornish mining practices spread worldwide 06:41 – The social and cultural impact of mining on Cornwall 07:29 – Tungsten's role in Cornwall's mining story and Laurie's direct experience 08:39 – What's next? The future outlook for mining in Cornwall 10:18 – Final thoughts and reflections

This audio podcast is also available as a free video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZm0zjSNmpo27fX_tfI79Yzhxy3VXjvMt&feature=shared

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.

Snowden Optiro: https://snowdenoptiro.com

Professional Development Courses: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/

[email protected]

Discover how battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are transforming underground mining operations. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Managing Consultant Hamish Guthrie chats with Principal Consultant Sarah de Vries about the significant safety and health benefits of battery-operated vehicles (BEVs)—improved air quality, lower heat, reduced noise, and less vibration. They also discuss the challenges of transitioning to electric fleets and the future of mine electrification.

This podcast at a glance:

0:00 – Introduction

1:00 – Why are mining companies moving towards BEVs?

1:40 – How BEVs improve underground air quality and OHS

2:45 – Heat reduction: BEVs vs Diesel engines

3:45 – Noise & vibration reductions with BEVs

5:00 – Applications that benefit most from BEVs

5:50 – Challenges of adopting BEVs underground

7:00 – Future of mine electrification

If you'd like to connect with Hamish Guthrie and Sarah de Vries, please email them: [email protected]

This video podcast is also available as a free video podcast on our Snowden Optiro YouTube 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.

https://snowdenoptiro.com

https://snowdenoptiro.com/professiona...

[email protected]

101: Machine Learning – Case Study

In this podcast, Susan Havlin, Managing Consultant APAC and Dr Gregory Zhang, Senior Geology Consultant discuss the application of machine learning for geological domaining in Resource Estimation, with specific reference to a project that Dr Gregory Zhang worked on.

This podcast at a glance:

1.21 A case study using the k-means algorithm

0.55 Why was an alternative approach needed?

2:10 What is the k-means algorithm and why is it suitable?

3:10 What steps were used to apply k-means to the data set?

4:20 What were the key outcomes?

5:20 Any limitations?

7:40 Speed of getting results

8:12 Who can use this method?

If you'd like to connect with Susan Havlin and Dr Gregory Zhang, please email them: [email protected]

This audio podcast is also available as a free video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube 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.

https://snowdenoptiro.com

https://snowdenoptiro.com/professiona...

[email protected]