Reliable Data, Informed Decisions, Compliant Mining

The team at GeoTerraImage (GTI) recommend the use of scalable satellite data services for tracking activities at to assist in monitoriing tailings dam facilities and similar operations throughout the Life of Mine (LOM). They are eager to render their services to clients involved in greenfield and brownfield mining projects throughout Africa.

in Zambia, without being physically (in situ) there.”

Furthermore, there is no or little weatherrelated interference. Suitable satellites that support all-weather, cloud-penetrating capabilities can be incorporated into the monitoring service, and can ably complement optical satellites. This means that any activity in any cloud cover, or weather conditions anywhere worldwide, can be monitored.

All the more noteworthy, GTI can choose the most appropriate satellite format to match the information required to be converted into intelligence to act on. This could be either incredibly detailed, high-level information over a small area or an entire mapping region.

Tailings dam-specific services

The introduction of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) in tailings compliance and reporting has prompted mining companies to seek practical ways of enhancing the management of their tailings storage facilities (TSF). Now, mining companies consider sound TSF management as one of the central components that can help them to improve their scores in Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting, which is central to their business operations.

Thus, for effective monitoring of TSFs, mining companies need rich and relevant data (reliable, actionable intelligence) to make informed decisions. This is the sage advice of GeoTerraImage (GTI) to mining companies in Africa.

Mark Thompson, the Director (Land & Resource Mapping) at GTI, assures mining companies that GTI is well-equipped to meet their data requirements of any scale. Specifically, he refers to the company’s capability to tap into its extensive experience to produce customised globally scalable information services which are relevant and valuable.

Extensive experience

GTI has extensive experience in the provision of scalable satellite data to clients in mining and other sectors. Relating to tailings management, specifically, the services provided encompass Surface Water Extension Detection & Tracking; Plant Cover for Conducting Tailings Disturbance & Rehabilitation; Tailings Dam Height Change monitoring, as well as Soil Moisture Monitoring. Using actionable intelligence compiled from these tasks, mining companies can take necessary interventions for their respective greenfield and brownfield mining projects timeously.

Globally scalable information services

Remotely, the team at GTI can access earth observation imagery from a suite of satellites as and when needed in near-real time. Then, utilising the convenience of cloud technology, they can retrieve large volumes of international image archives for use in different monitoring applications. “We can extract different layers of information from satellite imagery on what is happening in the landscape. With the ability to go back in time, changes are tracked,“ Thompson explains to Mining Business Africa.

He elaborates further on convenience: “We can move the same functionality from one area to another. For instance, it is possible to support a management team based in Toronto, to understand what is happening in the Copperbelt

For tailings management, GTI has tailored its scope of services to keep abreast of contemporary requirements. In this area, the scope of services spans the following areas:

• Surface Water Extension Detection and Tracking

Surface water extent detection and tracking services are applied to enable sound reporting of conditions at a tailings dam. This approach is based on the notion that the tailings pond that sits on top of the tailings dam is a vital indicator of how safe that tailings dam is. Later, conveniently, through satellite imagery, the effectiveness of water management is assessed.

Thompson demonstrates how Surface Water Extension Detection and Tracking is implemented: “It is very easy to track through a time where the pond is on the tailings dam surface. For example, whether it is migrating to the external area or is managed successfully in the centre of the tailings dam.“

• Plant Cover - Tailings Disturbance & Rehabilitation

One of the critical applications of satellite imagery is in the tracking condition or state of plant cover – loss, gain and biomass growth. Typically, the sight of active vegetation, for example, woodland or grassland, is a direct or indirect indicator of activity that is taking place. Fundamentally, there could be two assumptions about the disappearance or disappearance of vegetation.

If an existing vegetation cover is disappearing, it could suggest poor management, or a change in management objectives. On the other hand, the appearance of vegetation could mean that the rehabilitation process is effective and ongoing.

• Tailings Dam Height Change Monitoring

Satellite imagery can be used to monitor changes in Tailings Dam Height Profile, which could be indicative of changes in dam stability.. By tracking the height profile of tailings and retaining walls over time, it is possible to track and identify any critical bulging or slippage areas..

• Qualitative soil moisture monitoring

Information from satellite imagery can be used in qualitative soil moisture monitoring at a tailings dam. For instance, if a high soil moisture concentration is extensively migrating towards tailings dam edges. In this way, the risk of a potential collapse of a tailings dam or breach can be gauged.

Relevant and valuable

Interestingly, thanks to big data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is a perception that these days there is an overkill of information at the disposal of organisations. To some degree, there could be a point in this.

However, in its approach, GTI focuses on providing information services that are relevant and add immense value to a mining company’s operations. Actionable intelligence (information) from the monitoring can prompt key decisions.

• Tailings dams

In the context of monitoring tailings dams, with satellite data, experts at the end of the value chain can decide to take action. For instance, if the data indicated that the tailings dam has been stable for one month, then suddenly, a decrease in height in one area is noticed.

Broad applications

Generally, satellite image archives are handy in a broad range of applications in various phases of the life-of-mine. Among others, they can be referenced in the early stages of brownfield and greenfield projects.

• Brownfield projects

In a brownfield project where mine ownership is changing, it is easy to understand how a pit was managed, whether it was closed down properly or managed in hibernation. “With images dating back 30 to 40 years, you can see what took place. You can monitor efforts made in closure and rehabilitation processes,“ Thompson points out. Should charges of liability be raised after the acquisition, the new owners can reference a time record of activities upstream and downstream before acquiring a mine. Using data, they can prove that the mess was already in existence.

• Greenfield Projects

Typically, greenfield mining projects attract people from host communities and afar who aim to benefit from economic opportunities. Thus, using satellite imagery, a mine can monitor the migration pattern to get a clear picture of the potential impact on activity.

Independent, auditable and verifiable

Undoubtedly, it is paramount to engage with a reputable organisation in the provision of satellite data services, as shareholders need accurate information on the state of their assets. Handily, satellite data, which is an independent, auditable and verifiable source of information, can improve complex tasks like tailings dam management, most importantly, enhance an organisation’s ESG reporting (compliance) and adherence with terms of an operating licence.

All in all, recommending the use of scalable satellite data services, Thompson concludes: “Satellite imagery provides an ‘eye-in-the-sky’ perspective to validate what you are being told through other sources. A picture is a failsafe guide of what is taking place. Especially if multiple pictures over the same time are showing similar conditions.“

As mining companies unveil brownfield and greenfield projects in Africa, Thompson and his vastly experienced team are eager to participate and replicate the success they registered in similar projects recently.

Interferometry for land monitoring

Interferometry is another technique GTI uses to monitor land subsidence. In interferometry, radar sends light to the earth’s surface and bounces back to the radar. With surgical precision, the data can capture millimetre differences over time.

GTI has partnered with specialists wellversed in interferometry and hydrological monitoring. Images are processed together with the specialists, then critical data is relayed to clients.

Airborne Electromagnetic Geophysical Surveys