The manager is responsible for the success of the mining operation and delivering on contracted performance indicators. However, data blindspots and bad reporting lead to poor performance and contract breaches, putting the organisation at risk. It also puts the organisation in a constant state of reactive crisis management. Under these conditions, strategic decisionmaking and business sustainability are impossible. The effect is evidenced in poor mining practices and lack of maintenance, resulting in low equipment utilisation and increased operating costs. All of this is avoidable when applying the Excellence Formula.