Mapping Changes in a Recovering Mine Site with Hyperspectral Airborne HyMap Imagery (Sotiel, SW Spain)

Abstract

Abstract:Hyperspectral high spatial resolution HyMap data are used to map mine waste from massive sulfide ore deposits, mostly abandoned, on the Iberian Pyrite Belt (southwest Spain). Mine dams, mill tailings and mine dumps in variable states of pyrite oxidation are recognizable. The interpretation of hyperspectral remote sensing requires specific algorithms able to manage high dimensional data compared to multispectral data. The routine of image processing methods used to extract information from hyperspectral data to map geological features is explained, as well as the sequence of algorithms used to produce maps of the mine sites. The mineralogical identification capability of algorithms to produce maps based on archive spectral libraries is discussed. Trends of mineral growth differ spectrally over time according to the geological setting and the recovery state of the mine site. Subtle mineralogical changes are enhanced using the spectral response as indicators of pyrite oxidation intensity of the mine waste piles and pyrite mud tailings. The changes in the surface of the mill tailings deserve a detailed description, as the surfaces are inaccessible to direct observation. Such mineralogical changes respond faithfully to industrial activities or the influence of climate when undisturbed by human influence. OPEN ACCESSMinerals 2014, 4 314

Mining Waste and Its Sustainable Management: Advances in Worldwide Research

“…Mining waste management includes the characterization and remediation of residues. The state-of-the-art proposes new methods such as the use of mapping to determine the extent of wastes, the use of hyperspectral instruments [25], the mobility of sediments containing toxic residues [26], the mitigation of toxic metals spread in redox areas [27], the use of biochemical and mineral dissolution processes in sulfurous tailings [28], the dilution of tailings products, and the geochemical and mineral elimination of submarine tailings [29]. Other remediation systems include the use of heat to volatilize toxic components, and the use of microorganisms to reduce the reactivity and toxicity [30].…”

Artisanal Exploitation of Mineral Resources: Remote Sensing Observations of Environmental Consequences, Social and Ethical Aspects

“…The contribution of data from hyperspectral satellites (Hyperion) and data from airborne sensors (Hymap, AVIRIS) have also been explored to know the impact of mining discharges and abandoned mining sites on the environment. Studies have focused in particular on the impact of acid mine drainage (AMD), defined as acidification of surface water due to the weathering of minerals exposed to the air following mining operations (Choe et al 2008;Buzzi et al 2014;Riaza and Müller 2010;Riaza et al 2015Riaza et al , 2012bSwayze et al 2000;Pfitzner et al 2018;Percival et al 2014;Kemper and Sommer 2002;Jeong et al 2018;Jackisch et al 2018;Davies and Calvin 2017). Some of these studies are very simple and qualitative: photo-interpretation, thresholding, and manual digitization of sites, while other more complex and powerful approaches are developing (use of artificial intelligence and statistical methods) and allow for more comprehensive, automated, and recurrent treatment of regions affected by this activity.…”

Machine Learning for Mineral Identification and Ore Estimation from Hyperspectral Imagery in Tin–Tungsten Deposits: Simulation under Indoor Conditions

“…Most hyperspectral images have been remotely acquired from airborne sensors and a few satellites and, in the context of the mining industry, common applications of remotelysensed hyperspectral images are mineral exploration (see examples in [8][9][10][11][12]) and the environmental impact [13][14][15]. Currently, close-range hyperspectral images of hand samples and/or drill cores [16][17][18][19], along with ground-based panoramic hyperspectral imaging of semi-vertical outcrops [20][21][22][23][24], are increasingly used as hyperspectral imaging systems become more portable and widespread.…”