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RESOURCE AND RESERVE AUDITS. GAA TALK PERTH, WA MAY 10, 2004. RESOURCE AND RESERVE AUDITS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMMON. TYPES OF AUDITS Review of Methodology (“Fatal Flaw”) Due Diligence – (“Sign Off”) Endorsement – (“QA-QC”) SUGGESTED STANDARDS IN RED. REVIEW OF METHODOLOGY (1).
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RESOURCE AND RESERVE AUDITS GAA TALK PERTH, WA MAY 10, 2004
RESOURCE AND RESERVE AUDITS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMMON TYPES OF AUDITS • Review of Methodology (“Fatal Flaw”) • Due Diligence – (“Sign Off”) • Endorsement – (“QA-QC”) SUGGESTED STANDARDS IN RED
REVIEW OF METHODOLOGY (1) • 1-2 Days • Site Visit Preferred • Adequacy of Database to Support Resources and Reserves • Identify Risk Areas
REVIEW OF METHODOLOGY (2) • Review Geological Controls • Review Selectivity of Mining Operation • Problem: Time or Scope Sometimes Insufficient to Find Fatal Flaw
DUE DILIGENCE (1) • Duration Typically Several Weeks • Review Procedures • Database Check • Implementation Check • Suitable to Support Project Financing, CP, 43-101,10-K and 20-F Reports, etc.
DUE DILIGENCE (2) • Site Visit Mandatory • Field Check Hole Locations (5-10%) • Verify Down-hole Surveys (5%) • Verify Assays (5% Routine, Others That Appear Anomalous) • Data Entry Error Rate < 1%
DUE DILIGENCE (3) • Review Sampling Procedures, Core Recovery, RC Weight Recovery • Check Grade Versus Recovery • Check for Down-hole Contamination • Check Density Determinations (Number, Method)
DUE DILIGENCE (4) • Visit Assay Laboratory, Submit Checks • Review QA-QC • Coarse Rejects (1:20) • Pulp Duplicates (1:20) • Standard Reference Materials (1:20) • Blanks (1:20)
DUE DILIGENCE (5) • Is Sampling and Assaying Protocol Reasonable? • Check for Bias (Ideally < 5%) • Check for Precision • 90% within +/- 20% for Coarse Rejects • 90% within +/-10% for Pulps
DUE DILIGENCE (6) • Logging Suitable, Consistent • Geological Interpretation is Reasonable • Supported by Plans and Sections That Reconcile • Ore Controls Clear • Compare to Similar Deposits
DUE DILIGENCE (7) • Check Choice of Rocktypes for Modeling (Particularly Ore Controls) • Check Grade Distributions • Check Domaining (Get Coefficient of Variation Down, Below 1 if Possible) • Check Compositing (Consider Length versus Geological Variability, Mining Selectivity)
DUE DILIGENCE (8) • Check Frequency Distributions (Histograms) for Outliers • Check Capping or Outlier Restriction: Adjust Risk to 20th Percentile for High-Grade Population
DUE DILIGENCE (9) • Check Variography – Have Variograms Been Computed in Down-hole Direction? Has Lag Been Adjusted to Composite Length? • Are Models Consistent in 3 Dimensions? • Do Variogram Domains Reflect Zoning?
DUE DILIGENCE (10) • Check Interpolation Plan – Is There Stationarity of Mean Within Selection Neighborhood? Are Soft, Firm, Hard Boundaries Reasonable? • Is There Overprojection of High-Grade Due to Increased Data Density?
DUE DILIGENCE (11) • Verify Interpolation Program: Composite Selection, Weights • Validate With Simple Model (Nearest Neighbor – Swath Plots • Check Selective Mining Unit Distribution Versus Grades; SMU Consistent with Production Rate?
DUE DILIGENCE (12) • Review Sections and Plans Showing Block and Composite Grades • Assess Risk, Need for Drilling
DUE DILIGENCE (13) • Review Classification of Blocks as Measured, Indicated, Inferred • Measured = +/- 15% with 90% Confidence on Quarterly Basis = Confirm Continuity • Indicated = +/-15% with 90% Confidence on Annual Basis = Assume Continuity
DUE DILIGENCE (14) • Check Resource Statements • Check Final Model for Mine Planning: External Dilution Factors Reasonable? • Mining (Ore) Recovery Reasonable?
DUE DILIGENCE (15) • Geotech/Hydrogeology in Hand to Support Slopes, Stope Design? • Metallurgical Data Representative, Sufficient? • Prices, Costs Reasonable? • Cutoff Grade Reasonable? Assess Risk • Mine Design Refined, Annual Production Schedule? Assess Risk
DUE DILIGENCE (16) • Review Past Production Versus Models Ideally Within 5% (Cu), 10% (Au) • Grade Control to Model – Check Planned Dilution/Ore Loss (Aim for 0%) • Plant to Model – Check Unplanned Dilution/Ore Loss (Within 5-10%) • If You Do Not Measure It, You Cannot Control It!!!!!!!!
DUE DILIGENCE (17) • Review Other Factors: Legal, Environmental Permits, Socioeconomics, Sales Contracts
ENDORSEMENT • Same Procedure as Due Dilligence • Responsible for QA-QC of Entire Data Entry, Resource Modeling, Reserve Conversion • Anticipate Needs of Future Auditors
CONCLUSIONS • Resource and Reserve Modeling is a Serial Process • Even Small Errors (10%) Can Make Big Impact on Profits; Nearly Everything is Potentially Material • ASSUME NOTHING; CHECK EVERTHING • TRUST NO ONE
PARALLELISM TO FINANCIAL AUDITS (1) • Based on Discussions with: • Matthew Hird (Deloitte & Touche) • Jason Burkitt (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
PARALLELISM TO FINANCIAL AUDITS (2) • Financial Audits: Follow the Money • Resource/Reserve Audits: Follow the Metal
PARALLELISM TO FINANCIAL AUDITS (3) • Same General Steps • Planning • Field Work • Check Correctness of Presentation
DIFFERENCES • Financial Audits Rely More on Test of Controls; Procedures are Routine; Are They Followed? • Emphasis on Risk Areas That Could Affect Viability of Business, Incorrect Statement of P/L, Balance Sheet • Analytical Review a Major Tool
DIFFERENCES • Codified Industry Standards for Accounting and Audits • Working Papers Highly Structured • Extensive Internal and External Peer Review
WHERE WE MUST GO • Better Definition of Best Practice • Publication of Audit Standards • Corporate and Regulatory Policies on When Audits Required
SEC/SME RESERVES WORKING GROUP • Commodity Prices (3 year average versus ?) • Definition/Declaration of Resources • Definition of Feasibility Study - Base Case Versus Optimization • Permitting Requirements • Competent Person
JORC CODE VERSUS CIM 43-101 AND SEC • JORC Code is a Minimum Standard • Contains Loopholes or Loosely Interpreted - Geological and/or Grade Continuity - Inferred Resources Given Positive Value to Support Pit Designs Used to Declare Reserves • Measured Resources Much More Restrictive in Canada, not Used Much in USA • SEC More Active, Strict than In Past but Selective Enforcement • Regulatory Pressure to Upgrade Standards
CHALLENGES • Fast-track Drilling and Resource Modelling • Increasing Optimization in Engineering • Declining Cutoffs Increase Risk of Failure • Pigrooting in Sparsely Drilled High-Grade Areas • Narrow Cuts to Minimise Stripping • GPS Controlled Mining, Robotics
MEETING THE CHALLENGES • Increased Education and Training • Take Back R+D from Vendors • Conditional Simulation to Become Routine Tool • Increased Drilling Density to Support Design • More Focus on Reconciliation and Improvement • Standards, Professionalism and Audits