Ep 147: Raising the Bar: AI-Driven Innovation in Mine Planning

In Part 2 of Snowden Optiro's Fresh Thinking tungsten series, Senzeni Mandava Matondi, Laurie Hassall and Melanie Bulley discuss the key technical considerations for tungsten projects from a resource geology perspective. Building on Part 1's exploration of tungsten markets, pricing and global supply chains, this episode shifts the focus to deposit geology, mineralogy, assaying, metallurgical recovery and geometallurgy. The discussion explores: Tungsten deposit types: The geological characteristics of skarn, quartz vein, stockwork, granite-related and stratabound deposits. Scheelite and wolframite: Why identifying the dominant tungsten mineral is important for exploration, processing and recovery. Exploration and assaying: The use and limitations of fluorescence, analytical methods, quality control and historical assay data. Tungsten grade reporting: The distinction between elemental tungsten (W) and tungsten trioxide (WO₃), and why consistent reporting is important. Metallurgical recovery: How mineralogy, grain size, liberation and ore sorting can influence processing. Geometallurgy and resource classification: The importance of understanding geological and metallurgical variability when evaluating tungsten projects. The episode highlights why tungsten grade alone does not provide a complete picture of a project's technical characteristics, and why geology, mineralogy and metallurgical recovery need to be considered together.

In this episode of Snowden Optiro's Fresh Thinking podcast, Julian Aldridge, Regional Director – EMEAA, is joined by Melanie Bulley, Senior Consultant, and Laurie Hassall, Principal Consultant, for the first discussion in a two-part series on tungsten. The discussion examines tungsten from a market and supply chain perspective, with particular attention to the recent rise in APT prices and the factors affecting the availability of tungsten products. Topics discussed include: Ammonium paratungstate (APT), its role as an intermediate tungsten product and its use as a market price reference. The relationship between APT prices, tungsten concentrate and mine revenue, including payability considerations. China's role in tungsten mine production, concentrate consumption and downstream processing. The effects of Chinese export controls, US tariffs and defence procurement restrictions. Tungsten's strategic applications and the challenges associated with substitution. Responsible sourcing, conflict minerals requirements and 3TG traceability. Processing capacity outside China and its importance in developing non-Chinese tungsten supply chains. The contribution and limitations of tungsten recycling. The implications of recent APT price movements for new tungsten projects and long-term price assumptions. Part 2 will explore the technical aspects of tungsten projects, including deposit types, geology, mineralogy, assaying, metallurgy and Mineral Resource estimation.

Inferred Mineral Resources are the lowest-confidence Mineral Resource category, but what role should they play in mine planning? In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Tarrant Elkington is joined by Allan Earl, Executive Consultant at Snowden Optiro, to discuss the practical and regulatory considerations around including Inferred Resources in mine plans. Tarrant and Allan explore the distinction between mine plans developed for operational and strategic purposes and those used for public reporting. They discuss how Inferred Resources are treated under different reporting frameworks, including JORC, NI 43-101 and S-K 1300, and some of the challenges this creates for mine planners. The discussion also considers the practical implications of including or excluding Inferred Resources, particularly for long-term and underground mine planning, and the potential for companies to maintain different plans for internal, strategic and public reporting purposes. Subscribe to Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro for more technical discussions from across the mining industry.

When does ordinary kriging stop being the best approach for grade control? In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Ian Glacken, Executive Consultant, and Dr Gregory Zhang, Senior Consultant at @SnowdenOptiro , explore direct SMU estimation and the circumstances where conventional ordinary kriging may not provide the best result. They discuss the challenges presented by highly skewed grade distributions, mixed populations and complex anisotropy, and consider alternative approaches including categorical indicator kriging (CIK), multiple indicator kriging (MIK) and localised MIK. Drawing on a case study, Ian and Gregory examine why different estimation methods should be tested and assessed against reconciliation results, rather than assuming a single approach will work for every deposit. They also emphasise an important point: more sophisticated estimation techniques are not a substitute for appropriate drilling and good-quality data. Listen to Fresh Thinking for technical insights and practical perspectives from Snowden Optiro's mining and geology experts.

Changing workplace exposure limits could become an important driver of battery electric vehicle adoption in underground mining. In this episode of Fresh Thinking by ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬, Hamish Guthrie is joined by Sarah de Vries to discuss Sarah's recent presentation at The Electric Mine Conference 2026, "Evolving Air Quality Regulations: A Catalyst for Electric Machine Adoption." Sarah explores the changing regulatory environment for diesel particulate matter (DPM) and other airborne contaminants, and what tighter exposure limits could mean for underground mine ventilation, operating costs, productivity and equipment selection. The discussion also considers the growing role of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in underground mining, including current technology limitations, ventilation and infrastructure considerations, and the importance of evaluating BEVs within the specific operating and financial context of each mine. Sarah also shares key takeaways from The Electric Mine Conference, including emerging operating data from mines trialing and operating full BEV fleets underground. In this episode: Changes to workplace exposure limits for DPM Implications for underground mine ventilation Options for reducing diesel emissions underground The role of BEVs in meeting changing air quality requirements Current limitations and considerations for BEV adoption Emerging operational data from underground BEV fleets Subscribe to the ‪@SnowdenOptiro‬ YouTube channel for more technical discussions from our mining and geology specialists.