A comprehensive UX/UI case study showcasing the redesign of a complex GIS-based mining dashboard into a clean, intuitive, and data-driven web application. The project focuses on solving usability challenges in site selection, production monitoring, comparative analysis, and operational reporting for mining professionals.

Overview

The Site Selection & Mining Web App is a GIS-powered web platform created to support mining professionals in selecting sites, analyzing operational performance, monitoring production metrics, comparing multiple mining locations, and generating actionable reports.

This project aimed to simplify a highly technical mining dashboard experience into a user-friendly decision-making platform.

Problem Statement

Mining and GIS-based systems often contain overwhelming operational datasets, multiple map layers, production KPIs, and reporting tools packed into cluttered interfaces.

Key pain points identified:

• Confusing navigation

• Complex map layer controls

• Slow site comparison workflows

• Poor filter usability

• Scattered operational metrics

• Difficult report generation

• High cognitive overload

Project Goal

Design a modern, intuitive, and scalable dashboard experience that enables users to:

• Quickly select and analyze mining sites

• Monitor production and operational performance

• Compare sites side-by-side

• Navigate GIS layers effortlessly

• Generate reports with minimal effort

• Make faster data-driven decisions

Design Process

The project followed a structured Design Thinking framework:

Empathize

• User interviews

• Mining workflow research

• Competitive benchmarking

• Stakeholder understanding

Define

• User personas

• Problem framing

• Journey mapping

• Opportunity identification

Ideate

• Information architecture

• Dashboard structure planning

• Interaction flow creation

• Feature prioritization

Prototype

• Low-fidelity wireframes

• High-fidelity dashboards

• Map interaction concepts

Test

• Usability validation

• Feedback iteration

• UX refinement

Competitive Analysis

Existing solutions like ArcGIS dashboards and industrial MIS systems revealed common issues:

• Steep learning curves

• Dense technical interfaces

• Weak comparison workflows

• Static reporting systems

• Poor visual storytelling

Differentiation strategy:

• Cleaner layout

• Better KPI hierarchy

• Simplified GIS interactions

• Faster site comparison

• Decision-first dashboard design

User Personas

Three primary users were identified:

1. Mine Manager
Needs:

• Quick production overview

• Site comparisons

• Safety and dispatch tracking

• Fast reporting

Pain points:

• Data overload

• Slow workflows

• Poor report usability

2. GIS Analyst
Needs:

• Layer control clarity

• Better filtering

• Accurate visual analysis

• Faster site interaction

Pain points:

• Confusing map behavior

• Weak comparison visibility

• Inefficient controls

3. Operations Director
Needs:

• Executive KPI summaries

• Strategic comparisons

• Clean visual reporting

Pain points:

• Technical complexity

• Difficult interpretation

• Report formatting issues

UX Strategy

Core UX improvements included:

• Simplified top navigation

• Clear dashboard hierarchy

• Persistent filtering system

• Better visual layer states

• Fast compare mode

• Structured KPI grouping

• Improved data readability

User Flow

The optimized user journey includes:

Login → Site Selection → Layer Control → Site Analysis → Compare Sites → Dashboard Review → Apply Filters → Generate Reports → Export / Print

This reduced complexity and improved decision efficiency.

Visual Design System

Design language:

• Industrial

• Modern SaaS

• GIS-focused

• Data-driven

• Professional dashboard aesthetics

Visual choices:

• Strong teal industrial palette

• Functional data colors

• Clean KPI cards

• High readability layouts

• Minimal interaction clutter

Wireframing

Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Focused on:

• Search + filter persistence

• Interactive map-first workflows

• Sticky report generation actions

• Comparison shortcuts

High-Fidelity Wireframes
Included:

• Full dashboard UI

• Production KPI panels

• GIS visualization

• Comparison reporting screens

• Export-ready reports

Final Outcome

The final product successfully transformed a dense mining GIS workflow into a clean and scalable digital platform.

Expected improvements:

• Faster task completion

• Lower learning curve

• Better site comparison efficiency

• Improved reporting workflow

• Stronger user adoption

• Reduced decision fatigue

Tools Used

• Figma

• ChatGPT

• adobe illustrations

Duration

3 Weeks

Domain

Mining Technology / GIS Analytics / Dashboard UX Design