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Geographic information System (GIS) software is used by many of us in our current everyday lives – whether we realise it or not. If your satellite navigation system alerts you of traffic jams on your way to work, or you’ve used the web to see earth visuals, then chances are you’ve been exposed to GIS software.
In the mining and resources sector, GIS is becoming a highly desirable tool for data management thanks to technology and internet accessibility improvements. Due to these improvements, GIS has replaced old map-analysis processes like paper maps and database technologies. The technology significantly improves productivity, efficiency, and safety. A GIS management structure that is well designed, implemented and supported is critical to the success of environmental management in mining, writes Atlantech Graduate Environmental Scientist Jonathan Kool.
What is a geographic information system (GIS)?
GIS is a computer system which uses various software to capture, store, check, manage, analyse, and display data relating to positions on the earth’s surface. This functionality is what allows it to be used to find, extract, and manage resources in the earth’s crust. Around the world, GIS can make maps that help people share information and solve problems. It helps people and organisations have a better understanding about spatial patterns and relationships. With GIS, information is translated into communicative outputs including:
• Visualisation through maps
• Displaying specific features (such as locations, density, quantities, addresses, etc.)
• Demonstrate relationships and patterns regarding data
• Visualise and communicate temporal changes
• Capturing data in tabular format.
How GIS is used in mining?
Miners need accurate knowledge about the earth’s surface which is why geospatial technology is so important. GIS provides miners with the tools needed to operate mines responsibly and efficiently, replacing old map-analysis processes and traditional drawing tools.
GIS is now used for many mining activities such as exploration, slope development, production, geology and mine rehabilitation. For instance, GIS is used in mining to target mineral exploration, gauge mining conditions, model mine construction and display data. Mine planners use GIS to verify the best location for mining areas, dump locations, geological and environmental constraints. It also helps them find the lowest-cost haulage routes.
GIS can be used in mining for:
- Targeting mineral exploration
- Evaluating mining conditions
- Modelling mine construction
- Applying for mining approvals
- Assessing environmental impacts
- Displaying geochemical and hydrology data
- Managing land titles / tenements
- Managing hazardous materials
- Planning disturbance activities
- Planning reclamation activities
- Improving community education
- Rehabilitation designs and management
- Biodiversity offset areas management
- Buffer lands management
- Rehabilitation security bond estimates
- Managing infrastructure
- Gaining certification or relinquishment of the land during the mine closure process.
Case study
The historic Mayflower Mine in southwest Montana, in the United States of America, was a top gold producer in the 1930s and provides an example of successful underground modelling using GIS. In the 1990s a miner reopened the mine after utilising GIS technologies which was successfully used to visualise the extent of historic excavation to help identify new reserves and plan future drilling. For more detail click here.
Using GIS for environmental management in mining
GIS is used for applying for mining approvals, environmental impact studies, and designing plans for closure. Increasingly, GIS systems are having a role in abandoned mine land reclamation. Global Positioning System (GPS) can be overlaid onto GIS maps to precisely locate abandoned mines. The mapping indicates mine openings, waste piles and other features, and provides streamlined storage of information such as access routes, photographs, dimensions, land ownerships and more.
o Look at Geoscience Australia’s mines atlas as an example of GIS technology which is storing and mapping information about historic and current mines across Australia: https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/minesatlas
o Or check out the Resources Regulator database: https://datasets.seed.nsw.gov.au/dataset/nsw-mineral-occurrences
Locating and storing information about contaminated land is another area where GIS software is proving helpful. GIS can be used to monitor environmental impacts by assessing analysing and mapping soils, surface hydrology, vegetation, and ground water.
Case study
GIS company Esri has detailed a case study where GIS technology was being used to assess the threats from land subsidence and acid mine discharge from abandoned mines in western Maryland, in the United States of America. The projects’ required hard-copy mine maps from the early 1900s to be inputted in GIS systems so modelling of the abandoned mines and their tunnel networks could be created. Modelling was especially useful for planning field operations and for optimising grout injection points.
o More about this case study can be found here: https://www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdfs/gis-sols-for-mining.pdf17
Could GIS benefit your mining operation?
GIS significantly improves communication, efficiency, environmental management, and decision making at mining operations. It is also beneficial in capturing real-time data in the field with a high level of accuracy which can be interrogated further once back in the office.
At Atlantech, we are integrating this technology into our various operations. If you would like help in knowing which ways this could aid your business, then please contact our experienced engineering and environmental consultants to assist: https://atlantech.com.au/.
Sources
Please see our other environmental blogs:
- Is there really a life after mining?
- Environment: Best Practice Mine Closure
- Mine rehabilitation natural landform design
