Also, when working ones way to GM, smelting high level ore one at a time usually results in good gains, but do not do this at the sacrifice of ore. One at a time takes a little longer, but gives a better chance at more ingots and also more chances at gaining.

Lets say you were at 85.7 skill and hit a good Gold Ore vein. Save it. Wait till you get to a higher level to smelt it to keep more of the ingots. Take all the Bronze that you have mined and start smelting that one by one, get it?