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PODCAST

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

News and information from the world of geology and mining, Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro provides a new perspective on the mining industry and seeks to educate on best practice. 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

science natural sciences

All Episodes

11:11

EP 133: Cleaner, Quieter, Safer: Why Underground...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/07/28

In this Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro podcast episode, Hamish Guthrie (Managing Consultant APAC) chats with Sarah de Vries (Principal Consultant Mining) about the fast-evolving world of underground mine electrification. Sarah explains how battery-electric vehicles are transforming the way underground operations are powered — cutting diesel emissions, reducing heat and noise, and improving safety for mine workers. From cost savings to cleaner air, they explore why the move to electric isn’t just

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09:14

Ep 132: Grade Control - the key to reliable...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/07/28

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, our host Dr Gregory Zhang is joined by Ian Glacken, Executive Consultant - a leading expert in grade control and reconciliation. They explore why reconciliation is fundamental to every mine, how grade control fits into the mine value chain, and what makes accurate modelling essential for achieving reliable results. Key Time Stamps 0:46 – What is Reconciliation and Why It Matters Ian explains why reconciliation is fundamental to every mining operation and what makes

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19:04

Ep 120: How Final is Your Final Pit?

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/07/23

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

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21:08

Ep 119: The Dangerous Comfort of One Mine Plan

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/07/16

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

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11:16

Ep 118: Resurrecting Gold Projects - The Data Dilemma

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/07/09

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

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19:10

Ep 117: The Hidden Number That Changes Your Mine...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/07/03

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

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14:07

Ep 116: From Models to Money: Getting Resource...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/06/25

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

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12:16

Ep 115: What Resource Geologists Need to Know About...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/06/19

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

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22:17

Ep 114: The Cutoff Grade Strategy That Can Boost Your...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/06/11

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

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07:58

Ep 113: Measured? Not so fast! Fresh Thinking by...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/06/04

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

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13:39

Episode 112: Financing Mines: The Investment Bank...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/05/28

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,

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22:10

Podcast 111: Reading Between the Lines. Fresh...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/05/21

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, our General Manager Tarrant Elkington is joined by our Principal Consultant Matt Walker to explore what really goes into ASX announcements of Mineral Resource Estimates (MREs). They discuss the minimum reporting requirements under the JORC Code, the role of the Competent Person, and common red flags to watch for - such as unconstrained estimates, overuse of superlatives, and misleading imagery. Whether you're a geologist, mining professional, or

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15:31

Ep 110: Financing Mines - what banks really look for

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/05/15

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

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13:30

Ep 109: Part 2 - Resource Classification in Practice

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/05/07

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

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15:15

108: Processing the Risk: Metallurgy in Mining Due...

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/04/30

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

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13:22

107: Unlocking Gold - tackling refractory ores

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/04/22

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

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18:25

106: Practical Realities of Resource Classification

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/04/16

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

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10:03

105: The Hidden Lever in Mine Planning

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/04/10

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

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10:14

104: Cut-Off Grades - Small Number Big Impact

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/04/09

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:

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10:57

103: Tin, Copper and Cornish Ingenuity

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro ·

2025/03/27

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

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