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 listen.

Key moments:
01:14 – What "signing off" actually means
02:23 – Who should be the Competent Person
03:47 – What you're truly responsible for
05:30 – What a "critical review" really involves
08:45 – Where people get it wrong
11:07 – Should you be signing off?
15:36 – Final takeaway: ownership and accountability

If you would like to contact Tarrant and Allan: 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, 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/