Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

In this podcast, Matt Mullins our Head of Advisory for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia talks about the economics of project development - honing in on the 7 fundamentals of project success. This episode at a glance: 3:32 Strategic thinking, Pre-feasibility study and Feasibility study – any of these more important? 6:36 The 7 fundamentals of project success 9:32 Why are independent reviews so...

This is the first podcast from Matt Mullins, our Head of Advisory for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. In this podcast Matt talks about his experience with creating value through increasing productivity. Matt's vast knowledge, experience and the skills that he's gained in his 40+ years in the mining industry, offer us invaluable information. This episode at a glance: 1:52 What are some of the...

This is the 2nd podcast in a 2-part series that covers Categorical and Multiple Indicator Kriging, which is an increasingly popular mineral resource estimation technique. In this podcast, Optiro's Geology Director, Ian Glacken discusses the use and abuse of these techniques in mineral resource estimation, with our podcast host Justine Tracey. This episode at a glance: 1:00 Let's recap the concept...

This is the first podcast in a 2-part series that covers Categorical and Multiple Indicator Kriging, which is an increasingly popular mineral resource estimation technique. In this podcast, Optiro's Geology Director, Ian Glacken addresses the use and abuse of these techniques in mineral resource estimation. This episode at a glance: 1:00 What are these two podcasts about? 1:36 What exactly is an i...

The JORC code does many things, but it doesn't prescribe how to consistently classify resources. Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken explains some of the techniques available to ensure consistency in this fifth part of the mini-series on the JORC code. In this episode: 1:22 When the JORC code is described as being principles-based, what does that mean? 3:16 So contrasting to other codes aroun...

There are plenty of ways to get it wrong and having to retract your ASX market release is best avoided. Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken explains how to stay compliant to the rules in this fourth part in the mini-series on the JORC code. In this episode: 1:16 What's the general approach for resource and reserve market releases? 4:20 How does our process in Australia compare to the codes in...

Podcasts in the time of COVID-19. The name isn't a mistake: Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken is talking about Table 1 of the JORC code, why it is there, misconceptions about it and how it can protect investors. In this episode: 0:57 Table 1 and the ASX listing rules - what are your obligations? 1:45 What are the rules regarding Table 1 and when does it need to get completed? 2:27 "If not,...

Reporting your resource using metal equivalents is acceptable practice, if you follow the rules. In this episode, the second in a mini-series about misinterpretation of the JORC code, Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken explains where miners are getting it wrong and potentially misreporting the value of their commodities. In this episode: 0:58 What happens if a competent person misinterprets...

Recent research undertaken by Optiro's Director of Geology, Ian Glacken, shows there are a number of reports on resources being made to the market that are based on tenuous assumptions. This episode is part of a mini series on misinterpretations of the JORC code. In this episode: 1:03 Is RPEEE hopeless? 2:08 What does 'reasonable' mean, actually? 2:51 What about 'eventual' and 'economic'? 4:16 Are...

Now that you've built up your resource model from the data it's time to submit it to the Bernard Schneider test. Optiro's Principal Geologist Mark Drabble explains some of the checks you need to perform to ensure your modelling is correct. In this episode: 0:49 What are some of the key issues you've seen in resource models? 6:05 How can we avoid coming out with "bollocks" in our models? 9:09 If yo...

Interpreting data can be a daunting task and 'good luck' probably isn't enough to get you through! So Optiro's Principal Geologist Mark Drabble shares tips on how to get to the right answers in your resource models.  In this episode: 0:45 Five years before you could use a computer to model 2:11 Are graduate geologists spending much time in the field learning how to collect data? 4:06 How should yo...

Choosing the right technique to analyse your samples is an important decision and new technology is changing the game. Dr Simon Dominy joins Ian Glacken, Director of Geology at Optiro, to discuss new techniques including photon assay. In this episode: 0:44 What do we mean by 'bulk' assaying? 2:05 Why use BLEG or leachwell? 4:31 Why is photon assay a breakthrough? 6:52 What other bulk assaying tech...

Bulk sampling can help you get a more accurate idea of how much ore there is to be mined, but you need to have the scale to do it and know when it is appropriate. Dr Simon Dominy joins Director of Geology at Optiro Ian Glacken to discuss where he has seen it used well in the past. In this episode: 1:07 Why do we need to do bulk sampling? 2:12 How do you define a bulk sample? 2:42 What are the key...

When you travel the world visiting mines, you encounter extremes in weather, altitude and travel. In this final part of the travels of a geologist, Director of Geology at Optiro Ian Glacken recalls how he almost got frostbite in an unlikely country and about potholes so big they could swallow a car. In this episode: 1:10 What has been the hottest and coldest places you've been as a travelling geol...

The best jobs can be on the worst trips and the worst jobs can be in the best places. In part 3 of 4 of this series on travel as a geologist, Director of Geology at Optiro Ian Glacken tells us about some of the worst places he's been and the worst food poisoning he's endured, whilst keeping an eye out for some of the world's most rugged beauty.  In this episode: 1:23 Where is the worst place you'v...

Seeing the world as a consultant geologist can take you places, but some of them are a little too exciting to experience twice! Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken recalls some stories including escaping a revolution, meeting Danie Krige on a pile of gold bars and having his clothes eaten by goats. In this episode: 1:00 Following C tutoring from Larry Page at Stanford, where did you travel ne...

If you want to see the world you needn't join the navy: geologists get to see the world and quite frequently, too. Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken tells some stories about his early travels and what he learned, including honing his C programming skills with a young Google CEO Larry Page. In this episode: 1:05 Does working as a geologist lead to a lot of travel? 2:30 Is the travel enjoyabl...

Should geochemistry be used more than structure? How can you get a 3D picture of a resource? And what are "coloured shapes around coloured numbers"? Optiro's Principal Consultant Mark Drabble joins Fresh Thinking to give an overview of geological interpretation and modelling. In this episode: 0:57 What is geological interpretation? 2:31 Why is it so important? 3:28 How do geologists interpret the...

Geologists need to use the right methods when estimating the tonnage and grade they can expect from an ore body. For recoverable resources, when uniform conditioning doesn't work, you need to turn to alterative techniques. In part two of this two-part series, Senior Geostatistician at Geovariances, David Barry, and Director of Geology at Optiro, Ian Glacken, discuss MIK and conditional simulation....

Geologists need to make predictions about how much can be extracted from an ore body based on limited data. What can you do to confidently report on the likely tonnage and grade? In part one of this two-part series, Senior Geostatistician at Geovariances, David Barry, and Director of Geology at Optiro Ian Glacken discuss recoverable resources and how to apply uniform conditioning. In this episode:...

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 w...

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 co...

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 a...

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...

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:...