CASE STUDY

    SECTOR

    Architecture Engineering and Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, Public Safety and Security

    Satellite view

    Source: NV5 Geospatial Software

    remote-monitoring-of-tailings-dams-using-advanced-sar-technology

    image

    Source: NV5 Geospatial Software

    Project Details

    The mining industry faces significant challenges in monitoring tailings dams, which store hazardous waste materials. Tailings dams are susceptible to failures, which can result in catastrophic environmental and human impacts, as evidenced by the 2019 Brumadinho dam collapse in Brazil. To address this challenge, Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) partnered with NV5 Geospatial and the Church of England Pension Board to develop an innovative monitoring system. Utilizing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, the project implemented a ground-motion monitoring service to detect early signs of instability in tailings dams. By analyzing historical and current satellite data using ENVI® Inform and ENVI® SARscape® software, this system can automatically process and update ground displacement information, providing stakeholders with timely warnings and enabling proactive safety measures.



    Solutions
    Product Used

    Value Propositions

    Return on Investment (RoI)
    Geo_icon
    GeographyEurope

    Location_icon
    CountryUK

    Project_owner
    Project Owner

    Satellite Applications Catapult Limited


    Project_stakeholder_icon
    Project/Technology Stakeholder

    NV5 Geospatial Solutions, Inc.; The Church of England



    Technology Used
    Sector Focus
    SDGs
    Recognition/ Awards

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