Ep 144: When Resource Models Get It Wrong: Can CNNs Help? Part 1
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
Release Date: 01/21/2026
EP 155 | Part 2 of 7: Recoverable Resource Methods
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by, we explore recoverable resource methods and how they help bridge the gap between resource models and what is actually mined. We discuss key approaches used across the industry, including Uniform Conditioning (UC) and Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK), outlining how they address grade smoothing and improve predictions at the mining scale. We also cover the strengths and limitations of these methods, particularly their reliance on variograms and their inability to capture uncertainty. This episode sets the stage for the next discussion on conditional...
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EP 154 | Part 1 of 7: Foundations of Modern Resource Estimation
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
Episode 154 of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro kicks off a 7-part series on modern resource estimation. In this episode, we cover the fundamentals of ordinary kriging, its strengths and limitations, and introduce key concepts like grade smoothing, SMU, and recoverable resources. Featuring Ian Glacken and Susan Havlin.
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EP 153: The Genesis of Australia’s Nickel Industry
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
Discover the fascinating origins of Australia’s nickel industry in this episode of Fresh Thinking by . Principal Consultant, Jan Graham, sits down with Executive Consultant, Ian Glacken, to explore the pivotal moment that sparked it all—the discovery of nickel at Kambalda in 1966. From early prospecting and geological insight to rapid development and industry-wide impact, this story highlights the role of luck, lateral thinking, and persistence in shaping one of Australia’s most significant mining sectors. Learn how a single drill hole, KD1, transformed Western Mining Corporation and led...
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Ep 152: If You Sign It, You Own It: The Reality of Reserve Sign-Off
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
What does it really mean to sign off on a mineral reserve? In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Tarrant Elkington (General Manager, Snowden Optiro) is joined by Allan Earl (Executive Consultant Mining) to discuss the real responsibility behind reserve sign-off and what it takes to stand behind it with confidence. From understanding the full value chain to applying critical review across technical inputs, this conversation explores where things can go wrong, and how to avoid it. If you’re working towards becoming a Competent Person, or already signing off on reserves, this is well worth a...
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Ep 151: When Bigger Isn’t Better: Rethinking Resource Model Size
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...
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Ep150: Mineral Resource Estimation: What Really Is “Industry Standard”?
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
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...
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Ep 149: Building Resource Estimation Logic in Excel
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
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....
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EP 148: Simulation Is Not Estimation - rethinking uncertainty in mining
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
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...
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Ep 138: From Scoping to Feasibility: How to nail cost estimation at every stage
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Hamish Guthrie (Managing Consultant – Mining) joins Dr Gregory Zhang (Senior Consultant – Geology) to explore the fundamentals of cost estimation across the mining study pipeline. Hamish shares practical insights from his more than 30 years in the industry, including the importance of understanding project scale and matching the level of effort to the study stage. If you’re involved in study work, project evaluation, cost modelling or operational planning, this conversation will give you clear, practical guidance you can apply straight...
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Ep 134: The Interface Challenge - bridging the gap between geologists and mining engineers
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Tarrant Elkington (Snowden Optiro General Manager) joins Susan Havlin (Managing Consultant APAC) to explore the all-too-common disconnect between geologists and mining engineers. Tarrant talks about the results from the more than 100 professionals that generously responded to his survey - helping geologists and engineers understand how differences in approach, communication, and expectations can impact project success. Tune in to hear what both sides really think - and how better collaboration can make all the difference. Key Time Points: 0:42 – How...
info_outlineIn this episode of Fresh Thinking, Ian Glacken and Dr Gregory Zhang explore why mineral resource models and grade control models often fail to reconcile and how convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can help bridge that gap. This is Part 1 of a 2 part series.
The discussion focuses on early-stage resource estimation, sparse drilling data, and how machine learning can learn from dense grade control information to improve confidence, reduce bias, and support better decision-making. Importantly, this approach is positioned as a supplement to sound geology and geostatistics, not a replacement.
Speakers Ian Glacken – Executive Consultant Geology - Snowden Optiro Dr Gregory Zhang – Senior Consultant Geology - Snowden Optiro
Key moments in the episode
00:22 Why resource models and grade control often don’t match
02:55 Systematic bias and the limits of traditional reconciliation
04:22 Using CNNs to learn relationships between sparse and dense data
06:02 Treating resource models as 3D images for machine learning
07:18 What CNNs can actually predict in a mining context
10:07 Using grade control areas as calibration zones
12:43 Why AI should supplement, not replace, good geology
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation on applying machine learning responsibly in mineral resource estimation.
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If you would like to contact Ian or Gregory: contact@snowdenoptiro.com
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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.
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