Accurate Reporting in Mining Operations

In the complex world of mining, data is the cornerstone of effective decision-making. It influences everything from operational efficiency and resource allocation to compliance and risk assessments.

However, if the data you rely on is flawed or inaccurate, your entire decision-making framework may be compromised.

This can result in poor choices that have far-reaching consequences, including production impacts, poor financial performance, and increased safety risks. In this article, we'll explore why accurate reporting is so crucial in mining operations and how you can ensure your data is both reliable and actionable.

Topics I cover:

• Inaccurate Reports: Ever made a costly decision based on flawed data? Discover how one piece of inaccurate information can set off a domino effect of poor choices and long-term consequences.
• Time-Consuming Reporting: Think manual report processes are just a minor inconvenience? Learn how these 'hidden' hours can accumulate into significant costs and compromise data integrity.
• The Paradox of Too Much Data: Drowning in a sea of data? Find out how excessive information can lead to 'analysis paralysis,' causing you to miss out on key opportunities.
• Chasing Shadows: Ever witnessed a career end due to a simple Excel error? Uncover the real-world, human cost of relying on inaccurate data.
• The Perils of Hidden Code: Think your custom Excel code is airtight? Learn how hidden errors in complex systems can become ticking time bombs, putting your entire data processes at risk.

If you like this type of content, I have two simple asks!

1. Follow my account - stay "In the know" on data - Harry Finn
2. Follow our company - We make Mining Software and Tech - Information Alignment

Thanks, now let's get into it.

Inaccurate Reports - A Recipe for Poor Decision-Making

Imagine you're a manager who needs to assess a significant investment in a new truck fleet.

You base your decision on data, unbeknownst to you, containing inaccurate activity classification showing that the existing fleet is fully utilised making it an obvious bottleneck for the business.

It turns out the way the delays have been classified is incorrect, with key delays being picked up as production time rather than operation delay.

This means you already had plenty of capacity in your existing fleet!

Now, if you're lucky you will pick this up before the deal is locked in.

And if you think that’s unrealistic, ask me about the operation that had to cancel and advanced order on a bunch of 300t rear dumps!

This simple example illustrates the effect that one piece of bad data can have on an entire operation. It's not just about the immediate financial waste; it's also about the long-term impact having incorrect information can have on the day-to-day management of an operation as well.

Time-Consuming Reporting - The Hidden Cost

Manual reporting processes are more than just a nuisance; they can be a significant drain on resources.

Each hour spent correcting a report is an hour not spent on execution or valuable insight creation. Over time, these 'hidden' hours accumulate, leading to substantial costs that aren't immediately apparent.

Manual processes also introduce the risk of human error, which can further compromise the data's integrity. The result is a vicious cycle where time and resources are wasted on producing unreliable data, which then leads to poor decision-making which in turn has people working on the wrong things, meaning more time and resources are wasted!

The amount of times I have seen this effort roll up into a cost five or six times the cost of a complete data and reporting solutions is shocking….but understandable given the hidden nature of these costs.

The Paradox of Too Much Data

In today's digital age, data is abundant. While this wealth of information can be beneficial, it can also be a double-edged sword. Excessive data can create 'analysis paralysis,' where the sheer volume of information makes it difficult to discern what's truly important.

This can lead to missed opportunities, as key metrics and KPIs are lost in the noise. It's crucial to have a system that not only collects data but also filters and presents it in a way that's easy to understand and act upon.

We would typically advise our clients to have a framework that manages both breadth and depth.

For example:

• Breadth: What each department sees in relation to the entire value chain.
• Depth: What each person sees in relation to their level in the business.

Getting this right is critical in terms of focusing organisational resources and energy on results.

Chasing Shadows - The Real-World Consequences

I've personally witnessed firsthand the impact of inaccurate data on individuals' careers.

In one instance, a highly respected superintendent was sidelined because they were consistently underperforming in terms of shovel utilisation and total production.

Months later, when we were investigating the data, we noticed a flaw in the Excel report - if had an array function that didn't capture every possible delay - so the pareto charts (that we were all working off) were missing some key delays meaning the ill-fated superintendent didnt have all the information needed to understand the biggest levers to turn around the poor performance!

Now you might say - they should have checked other things, dug in deeper, etc - but if you had a report that was being used by everyone - and believed to be correct, your boss is asking about the delays in the report, and you have six million other things to be across - I think I would forgive you for working off that data.

To be honest this is not an isolated incident, but one of many cautionary tales that serve as a reminder of the human cost of inaccurate data.

The Perils of Hidden Code

Custom code in Excel or Power BI may seem like a good idea initially - what's not to like about instant charts and visuals - but as these systems grow more and more complex, they become increasingly difficult to manage.

This complexity often results in 'hidden' code that is hard to critique until it's too late.

I have been there personally, getting Spotfire experts to build a reporting system for a new technology that had no "off the shelf" options.

Let me tell you, it was a disaster - Ill admit it looked great but had constant errors and complex workarounds that no one could really understand except the people who wrote it.

In the end a single individual managed this complex code, it created a bottleneck for insights and a significant flight risk for the company. If that individual decided to leave, their unique understanding of the code would leave with them, putting our data capability at risk for that technology.

Guess what happened - they left - due to the burnout of being the ONLY person able to create insights and manage the source systems.

The whole thing was shut down and I personally took a reputation hit.......nice.

I chalked it up as learning experience, learning that building my own data platform in a generic tool is a little harder and riskier than it seems initially.

What Can You Do About It?

If you're looking to take control of your data, here are two 100% FREE resources:

1. Checklist for Self-Assessment: This comprehensive guide will help you evaluate the current state of your data management and reporting, identifying areas for improvement.
2. Project Plan for Software Selection: This step-by-step plan offers a structured approach to choosing the right software for your mining operation, ensuring you make an informed decision.

Register Here and I will send you both.

Ready to Do Something Right Now?

If you're ready to take the next step in optimizing your mining operations data platform, Arange a Demo of our Connected Mine system today.

Final Word

Data is not just important; it's vital. As we transition into an increasingly data-centric world, the importance of accurate, reliable data will continue to grow. The good news is that you are not alone and these challenges have been solved.

If you're experiencing difficulties with your data management and reporting, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I reserve time in my calendar every week for discussions—no obligations, just a chat to explore how we can help you make better decisions based on better data.

Author: Harry Finn , Expert in Mining Data Management and Analytics