In autumn 2022, the Minerals and Metals Statistics Division (MMSD) embarked on a pilot project with Annette Hester and Jagoda Walny Nix at the helm, aimed at enhancing the accessibility and relevance of mining exploration expenditure data. The initiative was driven by an overarching vision to advance the modernization of MMSD’s data landscape and foster a culture of learning within the team. Key objectives encompassed improving data accessibility, identifying primary data audiences, assessing team skill sets, setting an example of modernization, and ensuring sustainable changes. Excellence for a statistics unit was the guiding principle.

The project methodology was based on a design-driven approach, with a detailed design discovery workshop serving as the foundational step. The workshop identified essential insights, including theneed for improved data linkages, audience identification and expansion, and a re-evaluation of the data classification system.

After analysing the insights from the workshop and considering the pilot timeframe and scope, the team concluded that redesigning the entry page into the Exploration Survey Data to provide context and utilizing it as a “business card” and a conversation starter with diverse audiences would serve as the most effective pilot.

To create these pages the team employed an iterative data visualization design process, integrating expert consultations, feedback loops, and prototype adjustments to refine the design and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs. An integrated coding and static graphic design team was instrumental in translating the design into a functional visualization prototype.

Despite encountering challenges in securing appropriate resources, the team’s commitment and agile approach facilitated the successful execution of the design process. Moving forward, the assignment of a project manager to guide the strategic dissemination of the product and ongoing engagement strategies will be crucial for sustaining the project’s impact. Post-launch, the focus should shift towards collecting user feedback, establishing a maintenance schedule, and making the visualization code reusable and open source for broader accessibility and collaboration.

The successful implementation of this pilot visualization underscores MMSD’s commitment to leveraging data visualization as a catalyst for transformative change. The team’s dedication, coupled with strategic planning for the project’s long-term success, highlights the potential for continued advancements in the field of minerals and metals statistical data. The pilot has laid a strong foundation for future endeavors, emphasizing the importance of continued engagement, refinement, and commitment to excellence.