Assessing impacts of mining: Recent contributions from GIS and remote sensing. Issue 3 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Werner, T.T.; Bebbington, Anthony; Gregory, Gillian
• Is Part Of: Extractive industries and society. Volume 6:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 993
• Page End: 1012
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: GIS -- Remote sensing -- Mining -- Impact assessment -- Land use change; Mineral industries -- Periodicals; Gas industry -- Periodicals; Petroleum industry and trade -- Periodicals; 338.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exis.2019.06.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-790X

Abstract

Highlights: We review the use of GIS and remote sensing to analyse the impacts of mining on water, land, society and economy. Analyses have emphasised and delineated land use and related impacts far more than socio-economic impacts. Strategies for effective mapping of mining impacts in future are outlined. Abstract: Mining produces several environmental, social, and economic impacts which can be analysed spatially using remote sensing (RS) and geographical information systems (GIS). This paper provides an overview of recent studies using these techniques to assess mining impacts on water, land, and society. It also highlights the geographic complexities of these impacts via mining case studies, and discusses spatial research methods, data sources, and limitations. Despite noted simplifications, risks, and uncertainties of mapping the impacts of mining, the cases included in our overview illustrate that there are clearly beneficial applications. At a local level, these include environmental and socioeconomic risk assessments, disaster mitigation, and adjudication on mine-related conflicts. At a regional level, spatial analyses can support cumulative and strategic impact assessments. At a global level, spatial analyses can reveal industry-wide land use trends, and provide key land use data for comparative analyses of mining impacts between commodities, locations, and mine configurations. The degree to which such benefits are realised will likely depend on the resources afforded to what is a growing field of study.