Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) vary in design and operation, making standardized surveying difficult. Tailored strategies are necessary to determine an approach for each site, particularly in understanding topography both above and below the waterline, which is crucial for tailings and water management, capacity monitoring, and risk assessment. Operators face challenges in data frequency, consistency across datasets, and correcting offset errors, hindering effective decision-making and planning.
Due to the inherent risks associated with their management, the safety and integrity of TSFs are of paramount importance. Integrating optical satellite imagery and advanced deep learning technology offers a transformative approach to tailings dam monitoring. With tailored strategies designed for each site, these innovative tools can effectively address the unique challenges of tailings management while providing robust insights into environmental conditions and operational performance.
In this post, we will explore some key benefits of this approach for tailings engineers.
Broad Coverage
Unlike ground-based methods or drone surveying, optical satellites can capture vast areas, ensuring comprehensive surveillance of the tailings dams and surrounding terrain. Deep learning algorithms process stereo satellite image pairs to derive highly accurate survey data for several beneficial models, such as digital elevation models (DEMs), digital surface models (DSMs), and volumetric surveys.
Historical Data
Since the 1960s, satellites have been collecting high-resolution imagery. Virtually all dry land on Earth is imaged daily. A rich archive of historical imagery allows for analyzing past events and long-term trends at TSF sites. Tailings engineers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the tailings infrastructure of their site by reviewing topographic changes over several decades. This data can help them infer how previous tailings professionals managed the TSF, which can lead to better decisions now and in the future.
To get a better sense of how to work with historical satellite imagery, read our case study on the subject: Mufulira Case Study.
Temporal Monitoring
Optical satellite data is relevant to each phase of the mine lifecycle, from exploration to closure and long-term monitoring of the tailings dam and storage facility. The high temporal resolution enables frequent revisits, allowing for the tracking of changes over time. For operating mines, monthly satellite photos used in conjunction with other monitoring technologies can help facilities track key compliance metrics.
Establishing a Base Surface
Elevation surveys produced from high-resolution optical satellites can help identify offsets and align data from other monitoring technologies, such as drones, LiDAR, or ground surveys. Integrating this data into a Base Surface creates a model that supports a wide range of operational and planning needs.
Predictive Analytics
Leveraging Base Surface data, a stage-storage curve can be developed to inform a Water Balance Model. This model accurately forecasts future water elevation changes, which are crucial for life-of-mine planning and managing TSF water-related operational and environmental risks. Understanding how water levels evolve under various scenarios facilitates proactive planning and adherence to regulatory and safety standards.
Applications in Failure Analysis
Following a dam failure, optical imagery enables a comprehensive assessment of the damage extent, maps the debris flow, identifies areas of inundation, and evaluates the impact on surrounding infrastructure and ecosystems. This visual evidence is crucial for informing emergency response efforts, guiding remediation strategies, and supporting forensic analyses to determine the root causes of such catastrophic events. The ability to capture detailed visual information from a safe distance ensures that investigators can gather vital data without risking further harm to personnel or disturbing the site of the failure.
Data-Driven Decisions
Engineers can identify potential risks and prioritize maintenance and remediation efforts by analyzing trends and patterns in monitoring data. Additionally, tracking and routinely reviewing key performance indicators allows mine operators to assess compliance and operational goals.
Navigating Increasing ESG and Compliance Pressures
As the mining industry faces increasing regulatory pressures and the constant need for enhanced safety measures, adopting innovative monitoring solutions that prioritize operational efficiency and environmental responsibility is essential. A 2024 EY report highlights that tailings and waste management is the second-highest environmental, social, and governance concern for investors, with 55% of participants deeming it a critical issue, which has led to a notable increase in investment in monitoring technologies.
As the mining industry faces increasing regulatory pressures and the constant need for enhanced safety measures, adopting innovative monitoring solutions that prioritize operational efficiency and environmental responsibility is essential. A 2024 EY report highlights that tailings and waste management is the second-highest environmental, social, and governance concern for investors, with 55% of participants deeming it a critical issue, which has led to a notable increase in investment in monitoring technologies.
PhotoSat utilizes proprietary deep learning technology to process optical satellite imagery, generating highly accurate elevation surveys that aid mining engineers in designing and monitoring open-pit mines and tailings ponds.
This approach offers several strategic advantages to mining engineers:
Storage capacity monitoring: The volume of TSF water can be accurately estimated by identifying the water surface elevation and comparing it to the bare ground topography. This information is critical for both operational decision-making and long-term planning.
Deposition mapping: Diagrams, such as cut-and-fill maps, evaluate the volume of material added to the tailings storage facility, providing vital data for operational planning and compliance management.
- Manual quality control: We maintain human oversight over PhotoSat’s proprietary deep learning technologies. Engineers can rest assured that AI is not replacing their judgment to make critical decisions about a mine site; it is merely adding another complementary tool to assist them.
We encourage mining professionals to explore how integrating satellite technology into their tailings dam monitoring practices can enhance safety, optimize resource management, and ultimately lead to a more sustainable future in mining.
PhotoSat is the foremost authority in satellite surveying, offering secure and responsible solutions for every stage of a mine site's existence, from initial exploration to ultimate closure. This expertise stems from over 70 years of combined in-house engineering and geology knowledge, further enhanced by proprietary deep-learning processes.
