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

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

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If you would like to contact Gregory or Leon: contact@snowdenoptiro.com

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