Let’s be honest—most people picture bankers as the folks who show up after the hard work is done, sign a few papers, and disappear until the next commodity cycle. But the reality? Far more interesting. And, honestly, a lot more demanding. I just watched the latest Fresh Thinking podcast, where Tarrant Elkington sat down with Bob Jankovic (former technical advisor at Scotiabank). And they shared some insights that are definitely worth thinking about for anyone in mining. Here’s what stood out: ✅ Banks aren’t just writing cheques—they’re technical gatekeepers. Banks ideally step in with their technical team after the "bankable" feasibility study is published and permits are issued. Before a single dollar moves, banks conduct deep technical due diligence. We’re talking about independent reviews, resource and reserve scrutiny, and, most importantly, a rigorous level of risk assessment. Why? Because banks don’t gamble. They invest. And they want to know your project can survive more than just a PowerPoint pitch. ✅ The “bankable feasibility study” isn’t just a box to tick. It’s your passport to capital. One key message was that while many obsess over “measured" vs. "indicated” classification ratios, what truly matters is the technical soundness and defensibility of your resource classification not just the ratios. Another note as Bob put it: 🛑“The highest risk definitely starts from the block model, and the resource/reserve interpretation.”🛑 That’s a line we don’t hear often enough, and it should make anyone pause. ✅ Junior miners, take note: If you want funding, don’t wait for the bank to uncover your blind spots. Get strong technical reviews early (independent or internal). It’s not just about impressing the suits—it’s about building real, evidence-based confidence in your project. So, what’s the bigger lesson here? Mining finance is about recognizing where uncertainty lies and confronting it in advance. The more we integrate structured risk analysis—especially around the geological model—the better we align our projects with the real expectations of capital markets. If you’re an executive, technical lead, or someone aiming to build more risk-resilient mining projects, it might be time to rethink how we quantify and communicate geological risk. 📺 Check out the full episode: https://youtu.be/JfxD5z0QXZU?si=1Se1Vj1kvFrOqu9l