104: Cut-Off Grades - Small Number Big Impact

In this episode of Snowden Optiro's Fresh Thinking podcast, host Pedro Ladeira (Senior Consultant) is joined by Hamish Guthrie (Managing Consultant, Mining Engineering) to explore the critical role of cut-off grades in mining. From defining what a cut-off grade is to explaining how it's applied across different operations and project stages, they discuss the strategic, economic, and technical factors that make this small number a big deal.

If you would like to contact either Hamish or Pedro: contact@snowdenoptiro.com

This Podcast at a Glance

🕒 0:21 – Why cut-off grade is a critical input in mine planning and production

🕒 0:51 – What a cut-off grade is and how it helps define economic inventory

🕒 1:56 – Differences in how cut-off grade is applied in open pit vs. underground mining

🕒 3:34 – How cut-off grades are used at different project stages: resources, planning, daily operations

🕒 4:18 – What goes into calculating a cut-off grade: revenue, cost, taxes, and recoveries

🕒 5:53 – Are cut-off grades fixed? When and why they change over time

🕒 7:00 – The importance of aligning cut-off grade strategy with orebody characteristics

🕒 8:13 – How mining method and processing route influence the cut-off grade

🕒 8:50 – Why cut-off grade is never static — and how operations review it regularly

🕒 9:29 – Final take: the cut-off grade as a key to both short-term gains and long-term sustainability

This video podcast is also available as a free video podcast on Snowden Optiro's YouTube Channel.

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.

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