Beyond drill spacing – insights and case studies on Mineral Resource classification 

In 2025 we are still seeing many if not most Mineral Resources being classified wholly or partly on the basis of drill spacing. This is no longer sufficient! In this one-day workshop we delve into the mechanics of Mineral Resource classification (and a little of the philosophy) and present a range of 2025 approaches, illustrated abundantly with examples and case studies.  

The workshop considers the following: 
•    Why drillhole spacing is no longer enough for classification 
•    Incorporating spatial continuity into classification 
•    Why the spotted dog is still an issue 
•    Generating the average drill spacing automatically 
•    The two-factor approach 
•    Use and acceptance of the 90:15 methods 
•    Can simulation help? 
•    In praise of scorecards 
•    Will JORC 2025 change anything? 

Attendees will be exposed to just about all of the approaches in current use, with a glimpse of the future. 
  
The attendees will not need anything other than themselves for the workshop – but laptops are always useful!

Target Audience:

This workshop is designed for resource geologists, Competent Persons, Qualified Persons, and professionals involved in mineral resource estimation and reporting who aim to elevate the quality and clarity of their classification practices. 

Workshop Sponsor

Facilitator

• Ian Glacken – Executive Consultant
  
  Ian Glacken is an Executive Consultant with our Geology Advisory services. He is a geologist with postgraduate qualifications in geostatistics, mining geology and computing who has more than 37 years of worldwide experience in the mining industry. 
  
  Following 16 years working for a major multi-national, multi-commodity mining company in a variety of technical and geological management roles, Ian entered the consulting sphere. For over 10 years, Ian managed and grew the resource evaluation function of a major mining consultancy, which grew from a staff of around 30 to over 200 during this time. He also assumed responsibility for a Training business which was among the most successful in the industry and initiated a Risk Services division. Ian’s skills are in resource evaluation, public reporting, quantitative risk assessment, strategic advice, geostatistics, reconciliation, project management, statutory and competent persons’ reporting and mining geology studies, and in presenting Snowden Optiro’s professional development courses. Ian was a founding Director of Optiro.

• Dr Gregory Zhang – Senior Consultant 
  
  Dr Gregory Zhang is a geologist with more than 13 years’ experience in resource estimation, exploration and academic research in multiple commodities. His resource experience has included three-dimensional modelling of mineralisation systems, geostatistical analysis, resource estimation, and technical report writing. He has worked on more than 70 projects including resource estimation and auditing/reviewing/due diligence for gold, copper, nickel, iron ore, silver, cobalt, and PGE across most continents. 
  
  Greg’s areas of expertise include resource review, resource estimation with linear and non-linear methodologies, open pit and underground stope optimisation, bilingual working languages in English and Mandarin, and project management. He has a strong capability in workflow automation via scripting and extensive experiences in mining software including Datamine Studio RM, Supervisor, Geovia Surpac and Leapfrog Geo. 
  Greg presents Snowden Optiro’s professional development courses in English and Mandarin. 
  
  Greg has experience working with gold, copper, nickel, iron ore, silver, cobalt, and PGE, and he can sign off as a Competent person for gold. 

Registration

If you wish to include the Beyond drill spacing workshop to your registration, please select the additional workshop option in your registration form. Online attendees are not required to register for the conference to access this workshop.

If you have already registered to attend the Mineral Resource Estimation Conference and wish to add the workshop to your registration, please contact conference@ausimm.com.