All tailings facilities have a limited lifespan for deposition. Although engineers are designing bigger tailings facilities, all TSFs eventually reach a point where operations must cease. These inactive TSFs require perpetual monitoring and maintenance. And they remain vulnerable to subsidence, effects of weather, seepage, and more.

Tailings engineers carefully consider historical survey data

Tailings engineers decommission TSFs for many reasons. A TSF may have reached maximum capacity. Or the facility’s construction may lack the necessary margin of error to safely continue with operations. Tailings engineers need to understand how the facility was constructed, maintained, and operated throughout its life. Survey data plays a crucial role in both deciding to decommission the TSF, as well as monitoring it later.

Inactive TSFs require perpetual monitoring

Inactive tailings facilities can still be at risk for failure. To prevent such events, it is important to closely monitor TSFs and conduct remedial repairs as required. Tailings engineers need survey data that covers all stages of a TSFs existence, with continued monitoring into the future.

PhotoSat can provide historical survey data and future monitoring

Tailings engineers can obtain historical and ongoing survey data for inactive tailings facilities. From archive satellite photos, it is possible to create detailed survey records on construction and deposition. Since no onsite presence is required, satellite surveying is ideal for monitoring inactive tailings facilities in the future.