Cut-Of Grades and Mine Strategy Optimization Workshop

Content and course objectives

Everyone in the mining industry works with cut-off grade, either knowingly or unknowingly, yet many managers and engineers underestimate its impact on company performance. In reality, the objectives embedded in cut-off grade decisions effectively become the company’s true goals, regardless of what is communicated to shareholders. Are your cut-off strategies aligned with your organisation’s stated objectives? And have you explored the full strategic solution space to define the optimal operating policy? These questions sit at the core of this seminar.

Designed to demystify cut-off grades, the seminar explores the what, why, when and how of cut-off strategy and mining optimisation. While it begins with a focus on cut-off grades, often the least understood driver of value, it expands to examine their relationship with other critical decision variables, including mining methods, production rates and sequencing. It also considers the influence of corporate and stakeholder objectives, both financial and social, and how to balance opportunity with risk when key assumptions inevitably change.

The seminar provides practical insight into what truly drives value in mining operations. It is suited to professionals across the industry, from CEOs to early-career engineers and geologists, as well as investors and analysts seeking a deeper understanding of strategy optimisation.

Drawing on more than 25 years of continuous development, the content is grounded in Brian Hall’s Cut-off Grades and Optimising the Strategic Mine Plan (AusIMM, 2014) and AMC Consultants’ extensive industry experience. Delivered as a four-hour session, the seminar introduces key principles and techniques for cut-off grade determination and mine strategy optimisation.

Attendees will leave with the knowledge needed to strengthen their own optimisation projects. Through integrated theory and case studies, the seminar addresses common challenges faced in both open-pit and underground operations, providing practical, real-world context for strategy decision-making.

Register for the Strategic Mine Planning Conference 2026 to attend aconference workshop.