Maximising Data Value with QAQC and Regular Health Checks
Discover why Database Auditing, Health Checks, and QAQC Are Vital for the Mining Industry
In the exploration and mining industry, data is one of the most critical assets. It informs exploration decisions, guides resource estimation, and shapes production planning. Geological surveys, drilling results, and exploration models provide essential insights, but ensuring the accuracy and integrity of this data is paramount. Without regular database audits, health checks, and robust QAQC processes, companies risk costly errors, inefficiencies, and compliance issues that can undermine operations.
At maxgeo, we understand the critical importance of quality data management. Our tailored database QAQC reports, health checks, and auditing services are designed to help you maintain accurate, secure, and optimised data, enabling better decision-making and operational efficiency.
The Importance of QAQC in Data Integrity
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) processes are crucial to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of assay results from laboratories. Errors in assay data can result in significant financial losses, operational delays, and flawed resource estimates. Proactive QAQC reporting allows businesses to detect issues early and implement corrective actions to safeguard data integrity.
Why QAQC Matters
- Accuracy: Regular analysis ensures assay results align with client and laboratory standards.
- Error Detection: Early identification of anomalies prevents flawed decision-making.
- Compliance: Meets industry standards and regulatory requirements such as JORC and NI 43-101.
- Confidence: Provides reliable, high-quality data for decision-making.
Our QAQC services include a basic QAQC report integrated into our Health Check Reports. These tools help you evaluate the quality of your assay data and address potential issues before they impact operations.
Figure: 1 QAQC Summary Data; showcases assay batch data, which serves as the foundation for the report.
The Role of Database Health Checks and Auditing Services
Regular health checks and audits are essential to maintaining accurate, consistent, and accessible geological and mining data. These services identify potential problems and offer solutions to enhance data quality and optimize system performance.
Health Checks: Monitoring Data Health
Our in-depth health checks provide a snapshot of your database’s overall condition. They assess areas like data integrity, accuracy, performance, and governance, ensuring that your data supports effective decision-making and regulatory compliance.
Database Auditing: Comprehensive Insights
Audits go deeper by analysing the entire data lifecycle—from collection to reporting—to uncover discrepancies, inefficiencies, and non-compliance. Our database audits will identify invalid data such as drilling interval issues, data failing logical constraints, missing data and offering remediation to restore data integrity.
Figure 2: Example extract of data from a QAQC Report: the chart shows significant outliers are noted, these are most likely Certified Reference Material’s (standards) mislabelled as a Blank.
Key Benefits of using QAQC Reports and conducting Regular Health Checks
1. Optimising Data Quality for Reporting and Resource Estimation
Accurate data is the foundation for reliable resource estimation and reporting. Errors, incomplete records, or formatting inconsistencies can lead to costly miscalculations. Our health checks and audits ensure your data is always ready for critical tasks by delivering the below benefits:
- Improved accuracy in reports and estimates.
- Reduced risk of costly errors.
- Compliance with industry standards.
2. Reducing Redundancy and Optimizing Performance
Exploration and mining databases often accumulate redundant or duplicate entries over time, leading to inefficiencies. Regular audits identify and remove these redundancies, improving database performance and storage efficiency.
Our Services Include:
- Eliminating multiple-source duplicate data for better storage.
- Streamlining data access and analysis.
- Enhancing database performance.
Figure 3: Lab Turnaround: information about lab turnaround times based on the selected date, laboratory, and prospect
3. Supporting Better Decision-Making with Reliable Data
Clean, reliable data is essential for assessing drilling opportunities, resource estimates, and production strategies. Our health checks and audits ensure your team can trust the data driving critical decisions.
Key Benefits:
- Timely identification and resolution of data issues.
- Enhanced confidence in data-driven decisions.
- Improved operational efficiency.
Figure 4: Chart displaying different repeat results (original vs repeat), grouped by QC Category
4. Improving Data Governance and Compliance
Data governance ensures that information is collected, stored, and used responsibly. Our audits help align your data management practices with industry standards and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance with policies like environmental reporting and stock exchange guidelines.
Compliance Services:
- Assessment of data governance frameworks.
- Alignment with internal policies and external regulations.
- Secure and compliant data stewardship.
5. Streamlining Data Integration for Seamless Analysis
Mining data often comes from diverse sources, including historical reports, assay data, and remote sensing technology. Without standardization, integrating these datasets can be challenging. Health checks identify areas for improvement, enabling smoother data integration.
Integration Benefits:
- Consistent data formats for better analysis.
- Enhanced geological models and resource assessments.
- Improved strategic planning.
Ready to elevate your data management practices?
Data management is fundamental to the success of exploration and mining projects. At maxgeo, we offer expert services to enhance the quality and performance of your geological and mining databases. From QAQC analysis to health checks and audits, our solutions ensure your data remains a trusted resource.