Beyond Optimisation: Rethinking Value Creation in the Resource-to-Reserve Stage

Dr Mobin Nomvar presenting Beyond Optimisation: Rethinking Value Creation in the Resource-to-Reserve Stage at AusIMM, May 2026.

In this AusIMM talk, Dr Mobin Nomvar explores why some of the greatest unrealised value in mining and critical minerals projects can sit within the resource-to-reserve stage, where early flowsheet, product, and market decisions have an outsized impact on long-term outcomes.

The presentation argues that as ore bodies become more complex, traditional optimisation alone is often not enough. Instead, it outlines the case for a broader, integrated approach that connects technical, commercial, environmental, and strategic decision-making earlier in the project lifecycle.

Through practical examples, the talk highlights the “resource innovation window,” common failure patterns, and the role of a deep tech innovation house in helping teams identify higher-value pathways before optionality narrows.