Technology & equipment


Can satellite imagery revolutionise natural resource management?


Monitoring environmental impact Satellite imagery has become a vital resource for assessing the environmental consequences of mining activities and facilitating reclamation initiatives. The increasing capabilities of high-resolution satellites have enhanced our ability to oversee vast mining areas. These images are key to identifying and measuring vegetation loss, changes in land use, and pollution sources like acid mine drainage, allowing us to track contamination spread effectively. Moreover, comparing before and after images helps evaluate revegetation projects and assess the long- term stability of mine tailings dams. Utilising this data enhances the sustainability of mining practices and helps mitigate their environmental impact.


Gas mining effects on farmlands Australia, for example, rich in unconventional gas reserves such as coal seam gas (CSG), faces a critical environmental dilemma. The accelerated extraction of CSG has led to soil subsidence, severely damaging vast tracts of agricultural land, particularly in Queensland where over 20 million hectares of farmland are jeopardized. In response, the Australian government has adopted an adaptive management strategy to counteract these environmental hazards. This proactive approach includes stringent monitoring of environmental impacts and enforces corrective measures when adverse effects surpass predefined thresholds, particularly concerning groundwater drawdown. Unfortunately, current legislation provides for compensation to affected landholders only within designated mining areas, posing a challenge for those experiencing damage beyond these boundaries. While optical satellite data analytics offers limited direct observations of CSG impacts, it proves invaluable in tracking related phenomena, such as changes in soil moisture. Through platforms like EOSDA Crop Monitoring, landowners can utilise the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) to


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detect increased soil moisture indicative of subsidence. By comparing these findings against traditional hydrological models, subtle yet significant alterations in drainage patterns and moisture accumulation can be identified, though linking them conclusively to CSG activities remains complex and outside current optical satellites analytical capabilities.


Progress tracking


High-resolution earth images offer a panoramic view into the operations of mining sites, providing pivotal data that maps the rhythm of production and shapes the logistics of the supply chain. This technological advantage allows for a precise overview of daily developments, granting operators the ability to monitor real-time progress, track the equipment, and observe ongoing activities with a goal of increasing efficiency and fine-tuning production outputs. For example, operators harness satellite imagery not just for general surveillance but to meticulously oversee the day-to-day operations of mining sites. This includes the agile tracking of equipment movement and activity, essential for enhancing operational efficiency and maximising production potential. Satellite data plays a crucial role in quantifying the volume of minerals extracted. This information is instrumental in helping operators predict the lifespan of mining sites, schedule closures, and strategise remediation efforts, ensuring responsible management and environmental compliance.


The escalating reliance on satellite analytics within the natural resource sector underscores the industry’s pursuit of innovative solutions to navigate its operational complexities and environmental footprints. As satellite technology progresses, it becomes increasingly integral to resource extraction by promoting greater efficiency, safety and sustainability. This evolution is poised to revolutionise natural resource management, heralding a new era marked by heightened efficiency and enhanced stewardship. ●


World Mining Frontiers / www.nsenergybusiness.com


BEST-BACKGROUNDS/Shutterstock.com


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