The objective of strategic ore planning is to ensure that mining operations can be planned with a view to ensuring optimal financial performance of the overall site. This requires an in-depth understanding of the processing implications of the varying ore sources that are to be treated. This integrated approach requires inputs from all site departments and a coordinated effort in interpretation of the data generated. At many operations, mill feed material comes from a number of different mining zones and can be blended or batch treated through ore processing operations. Different ore types may have unique processing requirements that need individual optimisation both physically and chemically. When blending is necessary the optimal mix of ores must be found to maximise overall processing performance, or an optimised understanding of the processing needs of fixed blends should be determined. This paper looks at how this optimisation can be practically achieved through integrated use of geological, mineralogical and metallurgical properties in conjunction with mine planning for life-of mine (LOM) forecasting and strategic flow sheet optimisation. A case study is presented in which soft oxide ores are required to be blended with hard sulfide ores through a single processing route. Analysis methods used will be discussed and the strategies developed for each site to enable processing of problematic ores will be presented. The implications to mining operations and LOM forecasting will also be discussed.