Longwall mining can cause significant ground subsidence across large areas, both during active mining operations and long after they have ceased. This mining subsidence can have serious impacts on the natural environment and man-made structures, making precise monitoring essential to prevent damage and mitigate risks.

In Douglas Park, New South Wales, Australia, a comprehensive study was conducted to monitor mining subsidence using InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology. This project offered a unique opportunity to validate InSAR outputs by comparing them with in-situ survey data collected over a twelve-month period.

To effectively monitor mining activity in the Douglas Park area, ground surface settlement data needed to be collected over a much wider area than conventional survey techniques could practically cover. By utilising historical satellite data, InSAR analysis provided extensive surface settlement data across the large region impacted by longwall mining.

The comparison of InSAR data with existing conventional survey data over an extended period enabled a valuable validation of the satellite-based monitoring method. This case study demonstrated that InSAR is an effective tool for accurately tracking ground movements caused by mining subsidence, offering a reliable, non-intrusive, and cost-effective alternative to traditional surveying methods.

The successful application of InSAR in Douglas Park highlights its potential for large-scale monitoring of mining subsidence, helping to protect both natural landscapes and built environments from the adverse effects of underground mining activities.