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Abstract
In light of increasing concerns for sustainable mining practices, it is critical to monitor the environment in and around mines, through advanced and more sensitive monitoring tools. Remote sensing technology, as one observation tool, has grown in usage and significance over the last few years. The current study focused on evaluating satellite-based images for their potential applications in the surveillance of mining environments, including the condition of leachates, vegetation, air, water and land usage. A detailed investigation was carried out using multispectral [Landsat and WorldView2 (WV2)] and hyperspectral (CHRIS and Hyperion) satellite images for different mining projects, which included both open cut [Dexing Copper Mine (DCM), Ulan Coal Mines Limited (UCML), Kutch kaolin] and underground (UCML) mines. This study showed that satellite monitoring technology generates data on spatial, spectral and temporal monitoring that is beyond the scope and capability of conventional ground based monitoring procedures.
The hyperspectral data provided an accurate and holistic scenario of the environmental impact at DCM. Monitoring of native vegetation over a longwall panel at the UCML demonstrated the use of Landsat data to assess the impact of mine subsidence. A new method to categorise the vegetation status for an improved rehabilitation monitoring strategy based on high-resolution WV2 data was also developed. The capability of satellite data in quantitative measurements of land under different use was exhibited through a comparative study of the Kutch kaolin area in 2000 and 2009, using Landsat images. The Hyperion image of the DCM area, classified under different exposed minerals, indicated varied oxidation status. The Kutch kaolin area study, using CHRIS images, revealed the potential significance of hyperspectral imaging to detect and delineate airborne mineral contamination. The DCM CHRIS imagery provided a qualitative map of the tailings water.
Overall, this study points to the potential significance, and applications, of satellite based optical remote sensing technology to monitor mine environments, using the established sustainability criteria of such environments as well as their spatial, spectral and temporal aspects.