Strange Data Facts (and Why They Matter More Than You Think)

Mining is a data-driven industry. Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how much data we’re actually dealing with, and how strange, powerful, and consequential it can be.

At Krux, we spend a lot of time helping companies make sense of their drilling data. We help them clean it, standardize it, analyze it, and use it to make better and smarter decisions. But we also believe in stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. Because the story of data — in mining and beyond — is full of surprises.

Here are a few strange but true facts from our Guidebook to Optimize Your Drilling that remind us why data matters, and why getting it right is more important than ever.

1. A $125 Million Mistake

In December 1998, NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter crashed into the red planet. The reason? Engineers forgot to convert imperial measurements to metric. One team used inches, feet and pounds, the other used metres and millimetres... The result was a trajectory error that sent the probe off course so it entered the Martian atmosphere at too steep an angle, burning up.

It’s a cautionary tale that still echoes across industries. Even the most sophisticated projects can fail due to simple data standardization errors.

In mining, the stakes may not be interplanetary — but they’re still high. Misaligned data can lead to billing disputes, safety risks, and millions in lost productivity.

2. The Oldest Invoice in History

Invoices have been around for a long time. In fact, they are considered one of the earliest forms of written record. The oldest known example? A clay tablet from found in Turkey’s Hatay province dates back to 15th century BCE. It recorded the sale of wooden furniture.

Even earlier, tally sticks were used to track transactions — some carved into animal bones more than 20,000 years ago.

Today, mining companies still struggle with invoicing. But the tools have (thankfully) evolved. With platforms like Krux, invoices are generated from validated field data, reducing errors and accelerating payments. It’s a long way from clay tablets — but the goal remains the same: clarity, accuracy, and trust.

4. The Scale of Modern Data

In 2024, the world generated nearly 150 zettabytes of data. That’s 150 billion terabytes. By 2028, it’s expected to reach 400 zettabytes.

To put that in perspective: if each byte were a 3mm coin and you were to stack them, a single zettabyte would stretch 2,550 lightyears.

Mining operations contribute to this data explosion every day. From rig sensors to geological models, the volume is staggering. But volume alone isn’t enough. What matters is how you use it.

Why These Facts Matter

These stories are entertaining — but they’re also instructive. They show us that data is powerful, strange, and deeply human. It can crash spacecraft, preserve history, and shape the future of industries.

In mining, the companies that succeed will be those that treat data not just as a byproduct, but as a strategic asset. That means collecting it accurately, standardizing it consistently, and using it intelligently.

At Krux, we help you do exactly that. Because in a world drowning in data, clarity is your competitive edge.

Want more strange data facts?

Download the full Krux Analytics Guidebook to Optimize Your Drilling and discover how to turn your data into measurable results — without the strange surprises.