Ep 147: Raising the Bar: AI-Driven Innovation in Mine Planning
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
Release Date: 02/11/2026
EP 169 | Why Good Estimates Can Still Produce Poor Reconciliation
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
If your resource model is statistically robust, why doesn't it always reconcile with production? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Melanie Bulley and Senzeni Mandava Matondi explore why good resource estimates can still lead to disappointing reconciliation results. They discuss the impact of grade smoothing, explain the concept of conditional bias, and explore why reproducing the average grade is only part of the story. The conversation also covers practical techniques used by resource geologists to assess estimation performance and improve local predictions that support...
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EP 168 | When Geology Isn't Enough - Using Categorical Indicator Kriging to Model Diffuse Mineralisation
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
How do you model mineralisation when geological boundaries aren't clearly defined? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by , Senior Consultant, Melanie Bulley is joined by Principal Consultant, Senzeni Matondi to explore how Categorical Indicator Kriging (CIK) can be used to model diffuse mineralisation more objectively and consistently. The discussion covers: Why traditional wireframing can be challenging in diffuse deposits How probability-based domaining improves consistency The role of CIK in reducing subjectivity Building more robust and defensible resource models Whether you're a...
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EP 166 | What Consultants See That Mine Sites Miss: Lessons in Mine-to-Mill Reconciliation
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
What do consultants see that mine sites often miss? In this episode of Fresh Thinking bySnowden Optiro, Rayleen Hargreaves is joined by Ian Glacken to discuss the most common mine-to-mill reconciliation challenges, from stockpile management and siloed teams to understanding variance and improving decision-making. Learn why reconciliation is more than a monthly report—it's a powerful tool for improving mine performance.
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EP 164 | Critical vs Strategic Minerals: Which Commodities Matter Most?
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
Which commodities matter most in the global race for critical and strategic minerals? In this episode of Fresh Thinking podcast, Senzeni Mandava Matondi is joined by Julian Aldridge and Laurie Hassall to explore the commodities that consistently appear on critical minerals lists around the world and the factors driving their importance. The discussion examines key battery minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite, alongside rare earth elements, tungsten and aluminium. The team also explores how geopolitical considerations, supply chain security and processing...
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EP 163 | Critical vs Strategic Minerals: What's the Difference?
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
What makes a mineral critical? What makes it strategic? And why are governments around the world racing to secure supplies of certain commodities? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro , Senzeni Mandava Matondi, Julian Aldridge, and Laurie Hassell explore the growing importance of critical and strategic minerals in today's economy. From copper, lithium and rare earth elements to gallium and germanium minerals, the discussion examines how countries define these resources and why those definitions matter. The team explores: The difference between critical and strategic minerals...
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EP 162 | AI in Mining: Tool or Threat to Geologists?
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
Will AI replace geologists? In this episode of Fresh Thinking by , we explore how artificial intelligence is being used across the mining industry, from exploration targeting and core logging to resource estimation and technical reporting. Our team discusses the opportunities AI presents, its current limitations, and why geological expertise, judgement and accountability remain critical in mining workflows.
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EP 161 | Private vs Public Mining Companies: CRIRSCO Compliance Explained
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
What are the key differences between private mining companies and publicly listed mining companies when it comes to project development, risk, and reporting? In this episode of 's Fresh Thinking podcast, Senior Consultant, Laurie Hassall speaks with Managing Consultant, Julian Aldridge, about how private companies approach mining project economics compared with companies reporting under the CRIRSCO framework. The discussion covers: CRIRSCO Code compliance and disclosure requirements Investor protection and technical defensibility Resource and reserve classification Mining project economics...
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EP 157 | Part 4 of 7: Localised Conditional Simulation
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Ian Glacken and Susan Havlin explore localised conditional simulation (LCS) and its role in modern resource estimation workflows. Building on earlier discussions around estimation methods, recoverable resources, and conditional simulation, this episode brings everything together to explain how LCS converts multiple simulation realisations into a single, practical block model—while preserving realistic grade variability. Key topics include: What localized conditional simulation is and why it matters How localization transforms...
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EP 156 | Part 3 of 7: Conditional Simulation
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by , Susan Havlin and Ian Glacken explore the fundamentals of conditional simulation and its role in modelling grade variability and uncertainty in mineral resource estimation. They discuss how simulation differs from traditional methods like kriging and uniform conditioning, why capturing uncertainty is critical for modern mining decisions, and how multiple realizations can provide valuable insight into upside and downside risk. The conversation also touches on practical challenges, including reporting to the market and integrating uncertainty into mine...
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EP 159 | Part 6 of 7: How Simulation Influences Mine Planning Decisions
Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro
In this episode of Fresh Thinking by @SnowdenOptiro, Susan Havlin speaks with Tarrant Elkington about the mine planning implications of simulation. The conversation explores: Why resource models are fundamental to mine planning and project evaluation The impact of grade variability and smoothing on mine planning outcomes How LCS compares with conventional estimation methods such as Ordinary Kriging The operational implications of dilution, ore loss and mining selectivity How simulation-based approaches can support risk-aware and stochastic mine planning Why LCS can integrate into existing...
info_outlineIn 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: contact@snowdenoptiro.com
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
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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.
Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/