Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Jamie Oppelaar (Senior Consultant) and Tarrant Elkington (General Manager) discuss a growing challenge in mining: resource models are getting bigger and bigger.
More blocks, more attributes, more simulations. While this can improve geological representation, it can also slow down optimisation, scheduling and everyday planning decisions. So how do we strike the right balance between detail and usability?
Jamie and Tarrant explore why models are expanding, the practical consequences for engineers, and how geologists and planners can work together to build fit-for-purpose models that support better decisions without unnecessary complexity. 
Key moments in this episode
00:00 Introduction: Why resource models keep getting larger
03:40 The three main drivers of model size
07:10 How large models slow optimisation and planning workflows
09:30 When higher resolution models are actually justified
14:20 Practical ways to reduce model size without losing value
20:00 Strategies engineers use to simplify models for optimisation
24:55 The key takeaway: the best model is not the biggest model 
If you work with block models, resource estimation, or mine planning, this conversation highlights practical ways to improve workflow efficiency while maintaining the geological detail that matters. 
If you would like to contact Tarrant and Jamie: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com
🎧 Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available as an audio podcast on all major podcast platforms, and in video format on Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel.
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, our General Manager Dr Tarrant Elkington speaks with Senior Consultant Dr Gregory (Greg) Zhang about a common question in the mining industry: what is the real industry standard in mineral resource estimation?
Drawing on experience reviewing projects across a range of commodities and deposit types, Greg discusses current practices in data management, QAQC, geological domaining, estimation methods such as kriging, and resource reporting.
The conversation also explores how practices are evolving and the emerging role of simulation methods and machine learning in resource estimation.
Key topics:
00:01 – Introduction and the motivation behind the study
03:30 – Data quality and common database issues
07:20 – QAQC and confidence in data
10:30 – Geological domaining and understanding deposits
16:20 – Estimation methods and industry trends
20:10 – Resource reporting and common pitfalls
25:00 – Future trends in resource estimation
If you would like to contact Tarrant and Greg: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com
🎧 Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available as an audio podcast on all major podcast platforms, and in video format on Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel.
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Susan Havlin (Managing Consultant APAC) speaks with Dr Gregory Zhang (Senior Consultant APAC) about using Excel as a transparent learning environment for geostatistics.
Rather than relying on black-box software, they explore how building the logic step by step in a spreadsheet can strengthen intuition, improve data discipline and deepen technical confidence.
Whether you are a geologist, resource modeller or mining professional wanting to better understand what sits behind the software, this episode breaks down the thinking that underpins robust estimation.
🔎 In this episode:
00:01 – Why the Excel World Championship is more relevant to geologists than you might think 02:02 – Why Excel is a powerful tool for learning geostatistics
06:27 – Building variograms from scratch: pairs, distances and continuity
09:24 – Understanding kriging as a system of equations
12:03 – Simple validation routines to keep yourself honest
13:02 – Can Excel help you understand machine learning?
If you want to move beyond "clicking the kriging button" and truly understand the mechanics behind resource estimation, this conversation is for you.
If you would like to contact Susan and Greg: contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com
🎧 Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is available as an audio podcast on all major podcast platforms, and in video format on Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel.
If you need further assistance in using Excel, we have 2 courses that might interest you:
1-day Essential Excel Skills for Geologists and our 1-day Advanced Excel Skills for Kriging & Simulation. Both courses are presented by Dr Gregory Zhang.
Link to training courses: https://snowdenoptiro.com/professional-development/
Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available on all major podcast platforms.
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Ian Glacken (Executive Consultant) and Dr Gregory Zhang (Senior Consultant) discuss one of the most important topics in modern resource modelling: uncertainty.
From the long-standing debate of simulation vs estimation, to the growing focus on geological uncertainty and hierarchical truncated plurigaussian simulation, this episode explores where the mining industry stands — and where it still needs to improve.
⏱ Key Topics
00:00 – Introduction: Simulation in mining and why uncertainty matters
01:18 – Simulation vs estimation: what's the real difference?
02:16 – The "space of uncertainty": grade, geology, parameters and planning
03:34 – Are we misleading stakeholders by ignoring uncertainty?
05:34 – Has grade uncertainty been solved? Two-point vs multipoint simulation
06:39 – Data uncertainty: blast holes, nugget effect and sampling quality
07:30 – Parameter uncertainty and spatial bootstrapping
09:43 – Geological uncertainty: why it's fundamentally different
10:44 – Plurigaussian and hierarchical truncated plurigaussian simulation (HTPGS)
12:51 – Industry adoption and emerging trends
13:08 – The "holy grail" of a comprehensive uncertainty model
14:47 – Digital twins and the future of integrated uncertainty modelling
👍If you enjoyed this discussion, please Subscribe to Fresh Thinking wherever you listen to podcasts, for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain.
If you would like to contact Ian Glacken and Dr Gregory Zhang: [email protected]
Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available on all major podcast platforms. It is also available in video format on Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/-DnskmSDnn4
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/
#Mining #ResourceModelling #Geostatistics #Simulation #Geology #MiningEngineering

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Susan Havlin (Managing Consultant) speaks with Dr Tarrant Elkington (Snowden Optiro General Manager) about extending generative AI into coding practical engineering solutions.
They discuss how mining engineers and scientists can use AI tools to prototype bespoke solutions, automate niche problems, and build simple applications without being expert programmers.
If you've ever thought about using AI, but didn't know where to start, this conversation is for you.
Key moments:
0:36 – Why generative AI and coding is relevant for mining professionals
2:41 – What "AI coding" actually involves and how it works
4:22 – Real mining examples: road design optimisation and waste dump planning
6:46 – Does it really work first time? Debugging and validation
8:24 – What you learn through the process
9:37 – When it won't work and why starting small matters
11:06 – Practical advice for engineers and scientists wanting to begin
Generative AI is changing how we work. The question is not whether to use it, but how to use it well. Listen now and see how you could start building your own tools.
If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain.
If you would like to contact Tarrant Elkington or Susan Havlin: [email protected]
Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally, and is available on most audio podcast platforms and also as a video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/v3dQDfaU-vg
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team.
Snowden Optiro:
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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/