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Remote sensing is the key technology for the mining industry to transform to a green future. This technology has always been the core of curbing carbon emissions and reducing pollution levels.

Satellite remote sensing is increasingly used in a number of industries, including mining. It has been implemented to map and plan mines and to help inform safety protocols and automation, thereby creating more interconnected sustainable mining operations. It is also used to provide data indispensable to the development of dwindling resources.

Satellite Earth observation has become increasingly popular in the industry due to extensive monitoring coverage and the opportunity to accurately define surface features that indicate ore deposits and track landscape changes related to mining.

The types of remote sensors used in the mining industry include satellites, drones, aircraft and land-based variants. The satellite systems used for mining include Landsat-7 and 8 Magi ASTER and Sentinel-2. Satellite remote sensing systems vary in resolution and cover geographical areas ranging from less than one meter to several hundred meters. Prior to decommissioning in 2016, Hyperion's hyperspectral sensor equipment provided key data for monitoring mining operations.

Other satellite-based systems will be launched in the next few years, including EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program). The types of remote sensors used in satellite, airborne and ground systems include thermal infrared cameras and spectral sensors. Airborne systems can be installed on unmanned or manned aircraft. The ground sensor can be hand-held, machine-mounted or fixed.

Remote sensing is the key technology for the mining industry to transform to a green future. This technology has always been the core of curbing carbon emissions and reducing pollution levels. Now, remote sensing has been used to map the physical impact of mines on the surrounding environment.

01. What is the application of remote sensing in mining industry?

Remote observation of the earth's surface by satellite is suitable for all stages of the mine life cycle.

Satellite image is an important means to support mineral exploration projects. They have a wide range of applications. It can provide geologists and field workers with information about the existence of roads, dirt roads, fences and so on. In other words, satellite images are the basis for the production of land cover maps. This is essential for mapping potential channels for exploration areas and for considering the environmental impact of major projects.

Satellite-based remote monitoring simplifies and speeds up geological exploration in hard-to-reach places. In Europe, for example, high-quality mines are almost exhausted, so experts can only look for new deposits in remote areas.

Satellite maps can also be used to detect outcrops and weathered rock formations and to monitor vegetation in exploration areas.

Monitoring open pits (located on the ground) during extraction is another use case for satellite data. For example, we analyzed radar images of Sentinel 1 to track monthly changes in the landscape portion of slope stability and active mining (that is, to determine the size of inventory. The purpose of such monitoring is to ensure the safety of workers by identifying potential problems in a timely manner and reporting them to mine management in order to take measures before causing accidents.

Multi-spectral satellite images are used for the restoration of mountain areas (restoring land after mining to a similar natural state) because they can monitor the state of vegetation and so-called acid drainage (outflow of acidic water from iron ore and coal mines).

The data obtained make it possible to monitor the response of vegetation to pressure factors with high temporal and spatial resolution. Therefore, image data is the basis for improving naturalized management. Satellite remote sensing and image analysis are also useful as it is possible to carry out agricultural or other economic activities on land after mining.

02. How to draw a map of mineral territory with satellite images?

There are more than 4000 minerals on the earth. The amount of solar radiation reflected, transmitted and scattered by certain minerals because of their chemical composition is unique. It is similar to human fingerprints and is called spectral signature. The spectral characteristics of minerals can be determined from space by measuring small fluctuations in the length of electromagnetic waves with the help of satellites.

These machines allow areas of interest to be photographed from space and interpret images taken in parts of the spectrum outside the visible range. For example, infrared and shortwave radiation data are used to identify the structural characteristics of the earth's surface.

With the help of spectral images and thematic mapping, researchers can obtain information about soil absorption and reflection properties, rock composition and vegetation. These data can detect clay and oxide deposits and determine the type of soil on satellite images.

In a study published in 2021 in the African Journal of Geosciences, a team used remote sensing to map and quantify land cover change over time in the Wellcombe-Virginia gold mine in South Africa. The study analyzed Landsat images from 1988 to 2018 at intervals of 5 years.

The study uses geospatial indices, including normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI), global environmental monitoring index (GEMI) and normalized differential water index (NDWI), to distinguish different types of land cover. Images are classified by using maximum likelihood method (a statistical method for estimating hypothetical probability distribution parameters based on observation data) and supervised classification.

The results show that these indices are reliable for mapping and monitoring land use change and covering mining-related changes. The accuracy is extremely high, up to 96%. The mapping of land and use change using satellite remote sensing and geospatial indicators will help to monitor the impact of mining on natural ecosystems and urban / residential areas.

Why is it important to map land and cover changes in the mining industry?

Although mining is one of the most important commercial activities of mankind, it has a huge problem: global mining activities cause serious ecological damage. Carbon emissions, pollution and land clearance of important ecosystems are all harmful consequences of sustainable resource exploitation. Arable land and vegetation coverage are affected by open-pit mining. Communities living near mining operations are directly and indirectly affected.

The mapping of land and cover changes caused by mining operations helps to plan, resume work and close mines. The data collected through monitoring can help to inform the future of the mining industry, identify any problems and protect fragile ecosystems and communities.

Monitoring and mapping vegetation coverage is critical at all stages of the mine development and operation cycle. Vegetation maps help to assess the biodiversity of the area, so vegetation maps are usually needed during the planning phase of mines. They help to provide information for the optimal placement of mine structures, and the information can establish a baseline for environmental damage. The change of vegetation coverage during operation indicates the level of pollutants. After closing, it helps to inform the progress of recovery and identify residual contamination.

Mining activities have also changed the landscape, not only because of the mine itself or pollution, but also because of infrastructure and the transport of materials for heavy machinery. This may lead to major physical changes in the surrounding geographical environment in a short period of time. May lead to erosion of natural flood control systems, landslides and disturbances, affecting a wider geographical area.

Remote sensing can also be used to monitor vegetation pressure. Stress includes shortages or surpluses of water, insects, particulate matter and heavy metal pollution, acid rain and mineral deficiencies. Vegetation stress leads to growth retardation, leaf pigmentation and changes in plant structure, plant death, and changes in vegetation types to more tolerant species.

Monitoring and mapping land and surface changes directly or indirectly caused by mining activities are essential for limiting the damage caused. Remote sensing plays a vital role in these efforts.

This article comes from the official account of Wechat: new Research (ID:chuxinyanjiu), author: Tang Shi

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