Assessing the Applications of Earth Observation Data for Monitoring Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper discusses opportunities to use remote sensing (RS) technologies in addressing the persistent global challenges related to the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector. The paper uses a systematic literature review to identify, analyze, and synthesize various uses of RS on the detection and monitoring of ASGM activities across the globe. The study covers the use of spaceborne sensors and available opportunities for data access and processing and emphasizes the important role that freely-available data has played in understanding ASGM activities. It discusses applications and opportunities offered in assessing the geospatial and temporal characteristics of ASGM and its impacts on the surrounding environment. Furthermore, it examines different indicators for the detection of ASGM in the landscape. Finally, technological capabilities described in the study are illustrated with case studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Colombia using cloud computing with the Open Data Cube. The case studies demonstrate the identification and quantification of impacts of ASGM activities on land degradation and water turbidity in remote areas and results are dissiminated using the MapX platform. This facilitates policy development, implementation, and evaluation in the ASGM context.

An Approach for Monitoring Shallow Surface Outcrop Mining Activities Based on Multisource Satellite Remote Sensing Data

“…Among these, one site undergoes land leveling, while the remaining six sites are associated with the transportation of coal gangue. In addition, the interferometric decorrelation caused by excessive deformation is an important characteristic of mine activities [40][41][42][43][44][45]. It is necessary to utilize optical imagery for the identification of such patches.…”

“…by excessive deformation is an important characteristic of mine activities [40][41][42][43][44][45]. It is necessary to utilize optical imagery for the identification of such patches.…”

Earth Observations for Sustainable Development Goals

“…An article in this Special Issue reviews the opportunities of using remote sensing technologies in addressing the persistent global challenges related to the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector [10]. Case studies performed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Colombia using Open Data Cube demonstrate the identification and quantification of impacts of gold mining on land degradation and water turbidity.…”

Identification of open-pit mines and surrounding vegetation on high-resolution satellite images based on improved bilateral segmentation network semantic segmentation model

“…Exploring high-performance feature classification methods based on remote sensing data is gradually becoming an essential tool for ecological monitoring in mining areas 10 – 14 …”

“…9 Exploring high-performance feature classification methods based on remote sensing data is gradually becoming an essential tool for ecological monitoring in mining areas. [10][11][12][13][14] The traditional methods for classifying features from remote sensing data are the pixel-based or object-oriented classification methods, which focus on detecting the distribution of features using spectral mixture analysis techniques. 15 However, these pixel-based classification methods cannot decipher the spatial and textural characteristics of images as a whole, leading to information redundancy.…”