Contribution of Earth Observation in managing environmental and societal impacts during the mining life cycle

Abstract

Within the FP7-project EO-Miners (Earth Observation for Monitoring and Observing Environmental and Societal Impacts of Mineral Resources Exploration and Exploitation) EO-based tools and methods assessing the mining footprint over three demonstration sites, the Czech Sokolov lignite open cast in western Bohemia, the South African Mpumalanga coalfield around eMalahleni and the Makmal gold mine and processing plant in central Kyrgyzstan near Kazarman have been developed. Based on an in-depth analysis of policies related to the environmental and social footprint of mineral industries have led to the establishment of a list of indicators to be monitored, either directly or indirectly, through parameters accessible by EO.