Keynote Session

Snowden introduces Keynote Sessions, an interactive forum where you can be exposed to key topics driving the resources industry today. These sessions not only provide an opportunity to highlight the latest trends in the industry, but create a forum to engage with industry peers on common issues.

Register today, and join Snowden for a lunch hour session where experienced consultants will present and discuss different topics on current issues and challenges faced in today's dynamic operational environment.

Alternatively, the podcast of each keynote presentation will be available after the event for you to download and view at your leisure.
 
Please contact Anna McKersey on amckersey@snowdengroup.com for further information.
 
Coming Events
 
Perth, Australia
 
Maintaining Sample Data Quality through Robust Quality Assurance
and Quality Control Protocols
 
Successful evaluation and exploitation of resources and reserves relies on the collection of high quality sample data. The quality of the sample data must be maintained through the application of a robust quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) program, including documentation of sampling procedures, training of sampling personnel and the monitoring of control samples. However, the application of QAQC programs in the minerals industry is often poor and the purpose misunderstood. It is all too common to have good quality control data collected, but no analysis work carried out until after drilling is completed. In a lengthy drill program, this can lead to problems not being discovered and corrected as they happen. Moreover, rectifying problems afterwards will be costly in terms of time and money, if not impossible.
 
The consequences of poor quality sample data are many and include such effects as over- or under-estimatiion of block grades, misclassification of ore and waste, and lower confidence in the resource/reserve models. This keynote will highlight, through the use of case studies, the importance of good QAQC practices to monitor the quality of sampling, laboratory sample preparation and analysis.
 
Date:      Thursday 29th July
Time:      12:15pm (for a 12:30pm start) - 1:30pm
Venue:   Snowden Boardroom, 87 Colin Street, West Perth, WA
RSVP:    Anna McKersey on amckersey@snowdengroup.com
 
Light refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.
 
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
 
The Art of Software Engineering in Mining
 
Software developed for the global "Minerals and Metals" market sector has many examples of Australian companies being successful on a worldwide scale by following some proven rules in software development. Mine modelling, optimisation, asset management and reconciliation software applications are just a few examples. In most cases these solutions were not created in a black box to act as a generic patch to a perceived problem, but evolved from a real operational requirement. In these examples, the foundation of the solution can be found at the rock face, where the focus is on the solution, rather than on the technology. Without exception, the success is realised in the combination of technical expertise and a deep operational experience, to custom fit the solution to the practical parameters which are so unique to the industry.
 
With an ever expanding range of solutions being developed, the mining industry has set a benchmark for operational software application. Rob Williamson's Keynote presentation will explore this scenario, with a case study discussing a product's evolution into a world class product being used by the global leaders in mining.
 
Sampling of In-Situ and Broken Rock
An illustrated presentation of common problems and possible solutions
 
Obtaining unbiased samples from in-situ and broken rock is one of the many challenges faced by geologists and mining engineers during exploration and mine operations. While sampling theory is mathematically complex and often intimidating, simple practices can be implemented to substantially reduce the likelihood of sampling problems. Commonly encountered situations will be discussed and illustrated by observations made in open pit and underground mines around the world. A number of sampling methods will be analysed, including core drilling, normal and reserve circulation drilling, blast hole sampling, and sampling of broken muck. The likelihood of sampling biases varies depending on geology, rock breakage, sampling method, and sample preparation.
 
Date:          Tuesday 10th August
Time:         4:00pm - 8:00pm
Venue:       Liberty Palace Hotel, Rua Paraiba, 1465- Savassi- Belo Horizonte, MG
 
Programme:
 
                   4:00pm       Introduction
                   4:05pm       Keynote Presentation: The Art of Software Engineering in Mining by Rob Williamson
                   5:10pm       Keynote Presentation: Sampling of In-Situ and Broken Rock by Jean-Michel Rendu
                   6:15pm       Closing Remarks
                   6:20pm       Cocktails and snacks served 
                   8:00pm       Evening concludes
 
RSVP:       Please email Ana Diniz on adiniz@snowdengroup.com by 6th August
 
Brisbane, Australia
 
Adding Value through proper Dump Planning
 
Dump planning forms an integral part of Strategic Mine Planning and can adversely affect the value of an open cut mining operation. This aspect is often neglected in the Strategic Mine Plan, as the prime focus is on waste stripping and coal/ore extraction, supported by the slogan, "Tonnes are King".
 
Dump planning is, however, the inverse of waste stripping, the difference being in waste, which is swollen and partially compacted when dumped or dozed. The placement of waste is therefore critical and a number of factors determine the dump strategy. 
 
In the presentation, Adriaan will discuss dump planning methodology and parameters, dump design considerations and volume balance. He will also discuss the financial implications of proper dump planning and will use practical examples to illustrate these points.
 
Date:      Thursday 26th August
Time:      12:15pm (for a 12:30pm start) - 1:30pm
Venue:   Snowden Boardroom, Level 15, 300 Adelaide Street
RSVP:    Jan Amigh on jamigh@snowdengroup.com
 
Light refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.
 
Perth, Australia
 
Uncertainty is reality... So what?
 
You have probably experienced the consequences of uncertainty in benefiting or destroying mining operations and companies (depending on whether you happen to be part of the upside or downside). And you have probably experienced both of these in the last 5 years! In practice, however, the general attitude towards uncertainty is one of "what will be, will be".
 
Why is there such a large disconnect between accepting reality and taking action? We believe it is due to the inability to understand how to proactively plan for more than one possible outcome.
 
This presentation demonstrates, using examples, how uncertainty can be incorporated early on in the decision making process to produce more robust and informed outcomes.
 
Date:       Thursday 23rd September
Time:       12:15pm (for a 12:30pm start) - 1:30pm
Venue:    Snowden Boardroom, 87 Colin Street, West Perth, WA
RSVP:     Pips Kumleben on pkumleben@snowdengroup.com
 
Light refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.
 
Past Events
 
Sampling of In-Situ and Broken Rock
An illustrated presentation of common problems and possible solutions
Wednesday 16th June - Vancouver
 
Lean Construction for Sustainable Results
Friday 4th June - Brisbane
 
Lean Construction for Sustainable Results
Thursday 27th May - Perth
 
Strategic Asset Maximisation - Optimise your mining business strategy
Thursday 13th May - Vancouver
 
A quick analysis tool to show cost savings in Pit Wall angle changes
Wednesday 31st March - Vancouver
 
Challenges facing the Mining Industry - A contextual analysis
Wednesday 31st March - Johannesburg
 
A Balancing Act -
Deploying business improvement without being de-railed by other business priorities
Thursday 18th February - Perth
 
Sampling of In-Situ and Broken Rock
An illustrated presentation of common problems and possible solutions
Friday 12th February - Perth
 
Resource Data Collection - Getting it Right from the Start
Thursday 17th December - Vancouver
 
Truck/Trolley systems - how to design and where you would use them
Thursday 19th November
 
Gold Particle Size: Implications for Sampling and  Evaluation
Wednesday 4th November - Johannesburg
 
Innovation for mining and processing -
The development of underground gold processing plants
Thursday 3rd September
 
What, How and How Good?
The Simandou iron ore district, Republic of Guinea, West Africa
Friday 28th August - Perth
 
Mine Data Reconciliation - Reconcilor as the "single version of the truth"
Tuesday 21st July - Vancouver
 
Variance is not your enemy
Tuesday 21st July - Johannesburg
 
Traditional vs Whittle approach to optimising your open cut designs
Thursday 18th June - Brisbane
 
Fair Market Value
Thursday 7th May 2009 - Perth
  
Please download Trevor Bradley's paper titled: FAIR MARKET VALUE OF EXPLORATION PROPERTIES
 
 
Unlocking the Holy Grail - optimisation for underground projects
Wednesday 6th May 2009 - Vancouver
 
 
Sampling - A Critical Component to Gold Projects
Wednesday 6th May 2009 - Perth
  
Please download the relevant white papers by clicking on the titles below.
Joint conditional simulation in the Mining industry with MAF
Thursday 9th April - Perth
 
  
Using Risk Analysis and Probabilistic modelling to quantify your project and operational risks. How does it impact the bottom line? And so what?
Wednesday 1st April - Johannesburg
 
 
QAQC - Tips and Techniques for coal quality sampling and understanding your data
Thursday 26th March - Johannesburg
 
Considering the use of In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC)
25 September 2008
A webcast of the presentation is available for download. Please complete your details in the form below to access the presentation.
 
Please click here to access your webcast.
 
 
Integration of seismic information in reservoir characterisation
17 July 2008
 
A webcast of the presentation is available for download. Please complete your details in the form below to access the presentation.
 
 
 
JORC Code Compliance in 2008 - why bother?
26 June 2008
 
Mine Data Reconciliation - The "single version of the truth"
5 June 2008
 
"Risk - You can't manage what you can't measure"
24 April 2008
 
A webcast of the presentation is available for download. Please complete your details in the form below to access the presentation.
 
 
 
"Water Management – The next Frontier"
27 March (Perth) and 24 July (Brisbane)
 
A webcast of the presentation is available for download. Please complete your details in the form below to access the presentation.