Ep 142: Mining's Blind Spot - when Geology and Metallurgy don't talk

Gregory Zhang (Senior Geology Consultant) to talk about what convolution actually means in a geostatistical and geological context, and how it shows up in tools ranging from moving averages to convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Building on part one of the conversation, they focus on practical use, common pitfalls, and how to combine modern machine learning approaches with classic geostatistics without losing geological control. Key moments 00:02 – What convolution means in day-to-day geology and resource work 00:51 – Moving averages, detrending and kriging in practice 01:30 – Using external data like magnetics and structure with kriging 02:09 – Common pitfalls: edge effects, over-smoothing and stationarity 05:14 – Letting geological structure guide smoothing 05:17 – A worked example using folded geology and copper grades 06:11 – Where CNNs fit, and how they compare to traditional geostatistics 07:28 – Tools and software for convolution, kriging and CNN workflows 09:05 – When not to use moving averages or CNNs 10:39 – Practical sanity checks after detrending 11:05 – A clear framework for combining geostatistics and machine learning If you work in resource estimation, geostatistics, or applied geology, this episode is packed with practical insights you can take straight back to your own workflows. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain, from out global consulting team. If you would like to contact Jamie or Gregory: [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 including Snowden Optiro's YouTube channel. Link to video podcast: https://youtu.be/z5Gz1lYQ0Jg 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 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. If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain. If you would like to contact Ian or Gregory: [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. 👍 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/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Senior Consultant Jamie Oppelaar is joined by Dr Gregory Zhang, Senior Consultant at Snowden Optiro, to explore what convolution really means in a geostatistical and mine planning context. Jamie and Greg walk through how it already shows up in everyday resource estimation workflows. From moving averages and detrending through to kriging residuals and convolutional neural networks, this episode focuses on practical application, not theory for theory's sake. This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion, laying the foundations for how convolution links classical geostatistics with modern machine learning approaches. Key topics and timestamps  00:01 – Introduction to convolution - geostatistics and machine learning 00:21 – Separating geological trend from local variability in grade data 02:26 – Detrending, residuals, and the link to universal kriging 03:15 – Moving averages as a defensible trend model using convolution 03:41 – What convolution actually is, explained practically 05:08 – Choosing window sizes using variograms and cross-validation 05:57 – Stationarity, variograms, and kriging residuals 07:19 – How convolution relates to convolutional neural networks (CNNs) 09:22 – A step-by-step workflow mine geologists can apply with existing data 13:19 – Summary of key ideas and what's coming in Part 2 If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain. If you would like to contact Gregory or Jaimie: [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. 👍 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/

In this episode of the Fresh Thinking podcast, Dr Gregory Zhang (Senior Geology Consultant) is joined by Dr Leon Lorenzen (Executive Consultant Metallurgy) to talk about the practical realities of geometallurgy and why linking geology, mineralogy and processing really matters. The conversation draws on real project experience, highlighting the risks of disconnects between resource models and plant performance, especially for complex ore bodies. A thoughtful discussion for geologists, metallurgists and mine planners working with increasingly challenging deposits. Key moments from the episode: 1:45 – Why geometallurgical models are often created but not used in operations 3:50 – How hardness, mineralogy and recovery should feed into daily plant decisions 6:40 – The challenge of limited data and confidence in geomet modelling 9:10 – Why sulphides, preg-robbing carbon and mineral associations matter 16:50 – When a geometallurgical model really is essential, and when it may not be If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain. If you would like to contact Gregory or Leon: [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 - including YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZm0zjSNmpo27fX_tfI79Yzhxy3VXjvMt  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/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Tarrant Elkington (General Manager, Snowden Optiro) is joined by Joseph A. Dos Santos (Joe) (Dos Santos International, Marietta, Georgia) to explore high-angle conveying and the sandwich conveyor. They break down how sandwich conveyors "hug" the material between two belts to move bulk solids up steep inclines, where conventional conveying or trucking can become impractical. The discussion covers how this technology is applied in mining, what it can handle, and what to consider when comparing high-angle conveying against other haulage and lifting options. Key moments 00:01:05 – What is a sandwich conveyor? 00:02:27 – How sandwich conveyors handle extreme angles (including the "hugging" mechanism). 00:09:09 – Where high-angle conveying fits compared with truck haulage and other systems. 00:21:17 – Real-world scale example: vertical lift, capacity, and what that looks like in practice. 00:40:24 – "Mining on Mars" and why high-angle conveying comes up in off-world concepts. 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 or Joe: [email protected] Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is available on all major podcast platforms. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally - you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other 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/ Dos Santos International: Dos Santos International (DSI) is the world's foremost authority on Sandwich Belt high angle conveyors, founded and led by the inventor of the system, Joseph A. Dos Santos. DSI has been advancing bulk material handling solutions since 1997. With the invention of and advances in Sandwich Belt High Angle Conveyors, the development and utilization of their Expanded Conveyor Technology, and most recently, the patented Adder Snake Conveyors, we're engineering ideal solutions for some of the world's most challenging bulk material handling applications. Contact: [email protected]

In this episode of the Fresh Thinking Podcast, Principal Consultant Matt Walker (now Senior Resource Geologist with Genesis Minerals) sat down with Snowden Optiro's Executive Consultant Ian Glacken to explore the value of mentoring in geoscience. Ian reflects on the mentors who shaped his long career, the soft and technical skills geologists need today, and his advice for those aspiring to move into resource geology. Whether you're early in your career or guiding the next generation, this conversation offers practical insights, lessons learned, and industry wisdom. Key Timestamps 1:00 – Ian's early mentors and their influence 5:31 – The importance of soft skills in geology 7:38 – What makes an effective mentor 8:03 – Advice for aspiring resource geologists 10:43 – Essential skills for modern resource geology If you would like to contact Ian: [email protected] 🎧 Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking is available on all major podcast platforms – subscribe to never miss an episode! 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally – you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most other 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 advance their projects, mining companies improve their operations, and investors de-risk their investments by providing quality advice, training, and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves. 🌐 Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

Mineable Shape Optimisation (MSO) sits at the intersection of geology, mining engineering, and economics. Used well, it helps teams move beyond theoretical resources and towards designs that reflect what will actually be mined. In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Dr Gregory Zhang (Senior Resource Geologist) and Hamish Guthrie (Managing Consultant - Mining) discuss how MSO works, why it matters, and where it can add real value. They discuss the economic logic behind MSO, the importance of geological understanding, and how assumptions around cost, dilution, and mining method influence the outcomes. Key moments 00:02 – What MSO is and why it's used in underground mining 01:53 – The economic logic behind MSO and cut-off decisions 02:48 – Geological inputs that matter most for MSO outcomes 04:49 – How MSO actually works under the hood 06:13 – Comparing underground MSO with open pit optimisation 08:09 – Using MSO to manage dilution in narrow vein deposits 10:30 – Sensitivities, parameters, and study-level considerations 11:17 – Common pitfalls and how to avoid them 14:49 – A practical MSO workflow: inputs, outputs, and communication If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe for more mining-focused technical discussions across the mine value chain. If you would like to contact Gregory or Hamish: [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.  👍 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/

In this episode of Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro, Tarrant Elkington (General Manager, Snowden Optiro) is joined by Markus Dammers (Director, IPCC & Conveyors, Metso) to talk about what IPCC really means in practice, and whether "strategic conveying" is a more useful way to frame the conversation. They explore the spectrum of IPCC options (fixed, semi-mobile and fully mobile), where value is actually created (and lost) in mine planning, what people often miss when they consider in-pit systems, and how lead times, standardisation and decarbonisation assumptions influence decisions. Key timestamps: 1:24 What does "IPCC" actually cover (and why it's often used as an umbrella term)? 3:37 IPCC's real purpose: reducing trucks, not always eliminating them 5:39 Is "strategic conveying" a better term than IPCC? 7:25 Fully mobile (truckless) IPCC: where it works, and why hard rock is challenging 12:30 In-pit crushers: the planning and operational complications people underestimate 18:53 Lead times, standardisation and improving study-to-delivery pathways 24:41 Decarbonisation: diesel, carbon assumptions, and balancing ESG with economics 29:57 Wrap-up and how to learn more 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 or Markus: [email protected] Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking is available on all major podcast platforms. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally - you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other 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/ Metso: Metso is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. Metso's in-pit crush and convey (IPCC) solutions provide the highest energy efficiency and productivity for mine electrification programs. The Metso IPCC portfolio includes crushing, conveying and stacking equipment, which are flexible, modular and designed to be integrated together. For more information: https://www.metso.com/ #mining #IPCC #inpitcrushingandconveying #conveyors #mineplanning #decarbonisation #engineering #metso #snowdenoptiro

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Dr Gregory (Greg) Zhang and Jenny Dalrymple, both Senior Consultants at Snowden Optiro, share how automation and scripting can transform the mineral resource estimation process - saving time, improving accuracy, and creating an auditable, repeatable workflow. From Python scripting and macros to block model estimation and LUC workflows, Greg and Jenny explain how practical automation can make complex resource estimation tasks far more efficient.  ⏱️ This podcast at a glance: 00:41 – Using scripting to automate mineral resource estimation 02:18 – Python and Datamine: speeding up exploratory data analysis 03:23 – From internal tools to standalone software - developed by our consultants 04:01 – How macros streamline LUC and MIK workflows 07:25 – Why workflow automation matters for small and large projects 08:22 – Macros as an audit trail for peer review and project handovers 08:50 – How to get started writing your first macro 09:51 – Practical advice for beginners in scripting and automation 10:19 – Final thoughts and closing remarks If you would like to contact Greg or Jenny: [email protected]  🎧 Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking is available on all major podcast platforms – subscribe to never miss an episode! 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally – you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most other 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 advance their projects, mining companies improve their operations, and investors de-risk their investments by providing 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, 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 the idea for the "Interface Challenge" talk came about 1:56 – What is "the interface" between geologists and mining engineers? 2:46 – Why communication breakdowns can impact project success 3:44 – Insights from surveying over 100 professionals 5:00 – What questions were asked in the survey (and how long it really took!) 6:15 – Are geologists and mining engineers aligned – or speaking different languages? 7:30 – The preparation stage: Do geologists and engineers actually talk before modelling? 9:34 – Model handover: why documentation matters 10:43 – What's inside a good resource model (and what's often missing) 12:00 – Advanced estimation methods – how common are they really? 14:24 – Recoverable models and misunderstandings in mine planning 15:44 – Dilution: who's responsible, the geologist or the mining engineer? 17:09 – Surprising results from the survey 18:38 – Why perception gaps exist between the two disciplines 19:45 – Practical steps to improve collaboration and communication If you would like to contact Tarrant or Susan: [email protected] Listen on the go: Fresh Thinking is available on all major podcast platforms – subscribe to never miss an episode! Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/ 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally - you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms. Who we are: 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. For training or consulting enquiries:  training(at)snowdenoptiro.com      contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com