Project Overview
IMDEX's BLAST DOG - Orebody Data Acquisition. Analytics Platform and Mobile App
BLAST DOG – Transforming the Speed and Accuracy of Orebody Data Acquisition
Between 2020-2024, IMDEX embarked on a mission to revolutionize mining data collection with BLAST DOG—a semi-autonomous blasthole sensing and measurement technology. Designed to provide high-fidelity, high-resolution near real-time orebody data, BLAST DOG empowers mining operations to optimize blasting strategies and improve decision-making for better outcomes.
Industry Impact: Major partnerships with tier-one mining companies
Methodology: Agile (Scrum)
My Role
As the Lead UX/UI Product Designer, I was responsible for defining and executing the design strategy across desktop, mobile, and multi-user data platforms. Initially the sole designer on the team, I quickly became the driving force behind the creation of user-centered design solutions that supported a highly technical, fast-paced, and data-driven product development cycle.
I collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including geologists, drill and blast engineers, logging operators, product managers, and subject matter experts, to ensure the design aligned with the product’s objectives and technical requirements.
My role involved rapidly iterating on UX and UI concepts, creating wireframes, prototypes, and visual design systems to ensure the product was intuitive, functional, and scalable. I also introduced design systems using Figma to streamline prototyping and ensure consistency across multiple platforms.
Ultimately, my focus was on creating a seamless and user-friendly experience that enabled efficient data acquisition and analysis, supporting the core mission of delivering high-resolution orebody data to mining operators in real-time.
Collaborating closely with data scientists and data engineers, I ensured the user experience seamlessly integrated ML-driven functionality—translating complex data outputs into intuitive, actionable user interactions.
Skills:
UX Research, Product Strategy, UX/UI Design, Human-Centered Design, Data-Driven Design, Prototyping & Usability Testing, Agile Delivery, Stakeholder Collaboration
EMPATHIZE
Understand The Challenge
Drilling data is the primary source of information used to inform the major investment decisions by resource companies.
Traditional mining machinery is large, difficult and expensive to move around or maneuver, it has limited access to remote drill sites.
Orebody data collection relied on manual methods, like sample collection and lengthy lab analysis, resulting in siloed reporting and long processing times—often taking weeks to analyze and generate actionable insights.
These delays impacted decision-making, reduced drilling and blasting precision, and contributed to inefficiencies across operations. Additionally, operators faced harsh site conditions with minimal real-time feedback on data quality.
Mining companies needed a faster, more efficient solution to acquire high-fidelity orebody data in real time, improving accuracy, resolution, and overall operational efficiency.
BLAST DOG, the robotic tool, was developed as an AI-assisted, semi-autonomous data logging system. Compact and mobile, it can be towed by a 4WD vehicle and deployed on-site to log drillhole data.
DEFINE
Define Solutions
The solution enables (remotely located) logging operators to upload drill and blast patterns directly into BLAST DOG’s operating system, oversee data collection, diagnostics and safety information.
A new multi-user scalable digital platform (the HUB) with full data lake integration, is established setting the stage for future growth via machine learning and predictive analytics.
The HUB provides mining engineers, geologists, and logging operators with: Live high-fidelity and high-quality data for rapid decision-making, 3D visualizations of orebody characteristics, and seamless integration with existing mining systems, saving time and cost.
It also contributes to automated monitoring solutions to resolve issues faster and avoid financial penalties from service downtime.
IDEATE
Explore Options
To ensure BLAST DOG’s design aligned with real-world mining workflows, I conducted in-depth research and interviews with key industry professionals, including Drill and Blast Engineers, Superintendents, Geologists, Logging Operators, and IMDEX Support Engineers.
Stakeholder Interviews – Engaged with subject matter experts (SMEs) to understand pain points in drill and blast workflows, data logging, and operational decision-making.
User Personas – Developed detailed personas for:
Drill and Blast Engineers & Superintendents – Needing real-time, high-fidelity drillhole data to optimize drill and blast patterns and improve fragmentation.
Geologists – Relying on accurate subsurface data for orebody analysis and bench planning.
Logging Operators – Handling drillhole data acquisition and quality assurance in the field.
IMDEX Support Engineers – Ensuring seamless integration of BLAST DOG data with existing mining software.
Pain Point Analysis – Identified challenges in data collection, drillhole accuracy, and decision-making speed, particularly in bench-level planning and drill pattern optimization.
I partnered with data scientists to understand the AI models, then translated complex outputs into intuitive, visual insights by mapping user needs, designing clear indicators and visuals, and embedding explainability.
I validated designs through usability testing, ensuring users could confidently interpret and act on the data.
PROTOTYPE
Consolidate Exploration
Wireframes and Prototypes
With a clear understanding of user needs, I rapidly translated research insights into high-fidelity UX/UI solutions:
Wireframing at Speed – Delivered a comprehensive set of wireframes within weeks, allowing for early stakeholder feedback and fast iteration cycles.
Prototyping Interactive Experiences – Created clickable prototypes simulating real-time drillhole data interactions, ensuring mining professionals could visualize how BLAST DOG processes and displays subsurface measurements.
Responsive UI System – Designed a flexible multi-device interface that supported desktop and mobile users, enabling on-site and remote decision-making.
3D Data Visualization – Integrated interactive 3D drillhole models for mining engineers to analyze drill and blast patterns at the bench level, improving fragmentation and blast efficiency.
Design Execution
To bring BlastDOG to life, I built a new design system in Figma from the ground up, ensuring fast prototyping, seamless collaboration with the development team, and an intuitive user experience tailored for real-world mining environments.
Designed everything from scratch – Every UI element, from buttons to brand-new icons, was crafted to align with IMDEX’s branding while maintaining a clean, modern, and highly functional interface.
Made it intuitive and familiar – Using common design patterns from industry-leading software, I ensured that drill and blast engineers, geologists, and logging operators could adopt the platform quickly with minimal learning time.
Created interactive components – The UI wasn’t just designed to look good; it was built for efficiency, enabling users to interact with drillhole data seamlessly online and off-line.
Optimized for extreme field conditions – Knowing that operators work in harsh outdoor environments, I incorporated accessibility features such as high-contrast mode for better visibility in bright sunlight, adjustable font sizes, and clear data visualization for quick decision-making.
Built for speed and scalability – The structured design system allowed for faster prototyping, smooth collaboration, and a cohesive experience across desktop and mobile platforms.
TEST
Materialize & Test
User Testing
User validation was critical to refining the
efficiency, clarity, and usability
of BLAST DOG’s app. interface.
User Testing with Industry Experts – Conducted usability sessions with Drill and Blast Engineers, Geologists, and IMDEX Support Teams to refine workflows.
Feedback-Driven Improvements – Iterated on navigation, data visualization, and drillhole reporting interfaces based on direct user feedback.
Optimized Data Visualization – Refined charts, datasets and drillhole models based on user preferences for readability, contrast, and interactive controls.
Role-Based Customization – Implemented tiered user access and dashboards, ensuring each role had relevant, streamlined data views without information overload.
IMPLEMENT
The Outcome & Impact
BLAST DOG redefines how mining operations interact with orebody data. By integrating advanced sensing technology with a seamless UX/UI experience, we are enabling a future of precision mining, faster and more accurate data-driven decisions, and operational efficiency at scale.
THE OUTCOMES
1. Successfully transitioned from concept to developed version within tight deadlines
2. Established a scalable digital platform,
supporting data lake integration and enabling future expansion through machine learning capabilities.
3. Provided mining companies with real-time/near real-time, high-accuracy orebody insights
4. Designed diagnostic solutions to monitor robotic vehicle and operator performance/safety, integrating smart prediction and hazard prevention features.
5. Imdex secured commercial partnerships with tier-one mining operators
Features enhanced or created in the new app 🚀
WHAT THEY SAY
Recommendations
Rob van Selm
Software Development and User Experience Manager
IMDEX
I wanted to extend my thanks for all the work Natalie put in. She has been instrumental in working alongside the IMT / BlastDog team to represent the user in bringing the user experience to life as well as getting stuck into several other projects across our teams (GDR, HubIQ, SurveyIQ, Persona Consolidation etc). She always brings a can-do attitude to her work and this positive energy rubs off on those she interacts with.