A Socio-Ecological Approach to GIS Least-Cost Modelling for Regional Mining Infrastructure Planning: A Case Study from South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract:Regional planning approaches to mining infrastructure aim to reduce the conflict associated with mining operations and existing land uses, such as urban areas and biodiversity conservation, as well as the cumulative impacts that occur offsite. In this paper, we describe a method for conducting Geographical Information System (GIS) least-cost path and least-cost corridor analysis for linear mining infrastructure, such as roads. Least-cost path analysis identifies the optimal pathways between two locations as a function of the cost of traveling through different land use/cover types. In a case study from South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia, we identify potential linear networks for road infrastructure connecting mines, smelters, and ports. The method used interview data from government officials to characterise their orientation (perceived importance and positive/negative attitude) toward the social and environmental factors associated with mining infrastructure. A cost-surface was constructed by integrating spatial layers representing the social and environmental factors to identify areas that should be avoided and areas that were compatible with linear infrastructure using the least-cost path analysis. We compared infrastructure scenario outputs from local and national government officials by the degree of spatial overlap and found broad spatial agreement for infrastructure corridors. We conclude by discussing this approach in relation to the wider social-ecological and mine planning literature and how quantitative approaches can reduce the conflict associated with infrastructure planning.

Review of GIS-Based Applications for Mining: Planning, Operation, and Environmental Management

“…Lechner et al [21] suggested how to optimally design linear infrastructure, such as roads in mines, by considering environmental and social factors. First, environmental and social factors were identified through structured interviews with stakeholders, and the weightings of spatial data inputs were calculated using these factors.…”

“…This study demonstrates the capability of GIS with LCPA and social survey methods to identify the infrastructure corridors that have the least impact on social and environmental values. This tool has the potential for use and refinement in more effective multiple-criteria decision-making by communities and government planning authorities [21]. Blachowski [22] assessed the following aspects of the mining and transport of rock minerals (aggregates) in the context of regional development: the spatial and temporal changes in the distribution and intensity of mining, availability of economic reserves in active mines, magnitude and distribution of road transport flows of aggregates, potential of railways as an alternative means of transport, and valorization of undeveloped aggregate deposits to assess their suitability for future use.…”

“…Example of the cost surface produced through (a) combining all the weighted GIS layers representing each of the subfactors where spatial data was available for local regions and (b) using only topography where high-resistance areas have higher slope values[21].…”

How Spatial Analysis Can Help Enhance Material Stocks and Flows Analysis?

“…These geographic locations are often central to our understanding of these phenomena. Many researchers have shown that spatial proximity affects a variety of trade behaviors, promotes interactions, and thus matters for material flows in the whole life cycle [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. These are a few examples that reflect a growing interest in spatial concerns within industry ecology.…”

Spatially Integrated Social Sciences with Qualitative GIS to Support Impact Assessment in Mining Communities

“…Understanding the linkages between natural and human systems is an important focus for mining and natural resource management disciplines, from conservation to catchment management [6][7][8][9][10]. A better understanding of the interactions between social and environmental systems is crucial in the formulation of sustainable development strategies, especially in the context of mining.…”