Earth Observations for multi-scale monitoring of mining impacts

GEOMIN activity is to increase awareness and use of state-of-the-art EO data and methods which represent a novel means for sustainable monitoring and management of mineral resources and efficient multi-scale monitoring mining impacts.

Mining life cycle (exploration, extraction, closure, mine-site rehabilitation) needs to develop minimal impact exploration and monitoring technologies. In this respect EO and relevant in-situ data bring significant contribution for both, sustainable management of mineral resources and efficient multi-scale monitoring of mining impacts. To tackle some of these challenges our initiative will focus on the following strategic areas:

• Show-casting state of the art EO methods depending on the scale of mining
• Promoting interoperable strategies and other relevant standards for spectral in-situ data collection
• Demonstrating and communicating cutting edge EO data and methods
• Promoting freely available EO data, platforms and tools

In 2021 UNEP/GRID-Geneva and the Minamata Convention on Mercury have collaborated to draft a technical guidance document aiming at showing the benefits and challenges of the use of remote sensing technologies to support artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) policy development, implementation, and evaluation ; as well as a practitioner’s guide. The documents can be downloaded from here. A storymap illustrates the findings of the work.