Ep 125: Inside the Black Box: essential guide to plant sampling

In this episode of Fresh Thinking, our Executive Consultant (and fellow sampling guru) Ian Glacken sits down with Mark Murphy, world renowned Sampling expert, to uncover the realities of plant sampling - from conveyor belts and moisture balances to concentrates and reconciliation. Mark shares practical insights, cautionary tales, and expert tips to help geologists better understand sampling challenges inside the plant. If you've ever wondered how conveyor belt bias, weightometers, or moisture variability affect your reconciliations, this conversation is essential listening. Key Timestamps 0:04 – Introduction: Setting the stage for plant sampling and reconciliation. 1:01 – "Never trust a metallurgist?" (Just kidding!) Why geologists and metallurgists often have different priorities. 2:00 – Weightometers & moisture: The two biggest issues affecting mass balance into the plant. 3:00 – Conveyor belts: Why top-belt samplers and fines create bias. 4:50 – Time-based errors: How long conveyors cause cyclic sampling challenges. 6:14 – Homogenisation matters: When material becomes "relatively homogeneous" and why head grade calculation is tricky. 7:30 – Concentrate sampling: Why it's usually less of an issue than belt sampling. 9:00 – Shark-fin samplers & densometers: Common pitfalls to watch out for in plant sampling setups. 10:26 – Value engineering: How cost-cutting compromises plant sampling accuracy. 12:30 – Collaboration is key: Why geologists, metallurgists, and mining managers must work closely together. Keep tuned for the final episode of this Sampling series. Have a question about Sampling or want to get in touch: [email protected] Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/ 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team. LINK to Snowden Optiro Professional Development courses - Look for the Sampling Theory and Best Practice course: https://snowdenoptiro.com/events/sampling-theory-and-best-practice/ Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is becoming the best mining podcast globally - you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms. Who we are: 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. For training or consulting enquiries: training(at)snowdenoptiro.com contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com