By Michele Beacom - 23 July 2024

New CIM conference aims to shape the future of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimation

This year CIM is hosting a groundbreaking conference on mineral resources and mineral reserves (MRMR). The theme of the inaugural MRMR conference, which will be held from Oct. 16 to 18, 2024, in Vancouver, B.C., is innovation and integration.

The conference dovetails with the 2024 Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) annual general meeting, where the 15 member nation representatives of CRIRSCO will convene in Vancouver from Oct. 13 to 16.

CRIRSCO, an international organization that represents the mining industry in matters relating to the standardization of codes for public statements, is dedicated to promoting international best practices in the reporting of mineral exploration, mineral resources and mineral reserves, so it was a natural fit to host the MRMR 2024 conference when the CRIRSCO members, plus representatives from the UN and other countries, will already be gathering.

“Other conferences have focused on mineral resources, but this will also focus on the modifying factors that convert mineral resources to mineral reserves,” said Deborah McCombe, CIM MRMR Committee chair, CIM representative on CRIRSCO and principal geologist at SLR Consulting. “We will be discussing the innovations in mine planning, mineral processing and geometallurgy. We’ll also be looking at environmental, social and governance and the regulatory and financial aspects that affect our industry. We’re covering the whole mineral resources and mineral reserves estimation cycle.”

Sessions will delve into innovative risk management techniques crucial for addressing technical, social and environmental challenges and will explore the integration of these techniques across five key themes:

Mineral Resource Estimation
From data gathering to geological modelling, encompassing risk assessment of tonnages and grades in situ, leading to the classification of measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources.

Mine Planning and Supporting Resources
Application of modifying factors to the design of the mine, equipment sizing and production planning, resulting in the declaration of proven and probable mineral reserves. This includes the importance of stochastic mine planning in producing multiple scenarios for improved value and risk analyses.

Mineral Processing and Geometallurgy
Incorporating both traditional and modern techniques to model geological and mineral processing features together improves predictive models for mineral recovery and mill throughput. This encompasses monitoring and control algorithms for dynamic plant and refinery management, quantifying uncertainty and minimizing variability.

Environmental and Social
Outlining key principles and considerations aiding mineral exploration and mining companies in applying leading practices to manage environmental and social risks and opportunities throughout exploration, production and closure phases.

Regulations and Finance
A review of current rules for disclosing mineral resources and reserves across different jurisdictions, financing mechanisms for mineral exploration and mining firms, incentive programs for expediting critical and strategic mineral production—all while considering the impacts of new approaches and technologies.

The sessions are designed to further the knowledge of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimation and disclosure in today’s ever-evolving mining landscape.

This event is a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, government representatives, investors and regulators as they pave the way for a more transparent, efficient and sustainable mining industry. “It’s just an excellent opportunity for mineral resource and reserve estimation practitioners to hone their skills, to see the new techniques and innovations, to interact with the people that are developing these leading-edge methods and to put these into practice,” said McCombe. “It’s a must-attend event for MRMR practitioners.”