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Tailings Pond Bathymetry and Soil Moisture Detection by Satellite

  • Writer: Geofem
    Geofem
  • 4 days ago
  • 4 min read

You may be aware of satellite technology solutions such as InSAR being deployed by mining companies to monitor and assess Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs), offering unprecedented insights into dam stability and failure risk. But what you may not know is how specialised applications in satellite-derived bathymetry and soil moisture detection can bolster these insights, giving stakeholders an even more comprehensive picture of risk management with significant operational and financial benefits.

Aerial view of turquoise and brown ponds divided by embankments, with sand mounds and fields in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Soil Moisture Monitoring: A Critical Early Warning Tool

Geofem has developed advanced satellite-based soil moisture detection capabilities that leverage remote sensing data passed through our innovate machine learning algorithms. Our approach is not limited by spatial constraints, allowing for monitoring across entire TSF areas and eliminating high costs associated with relying on traditional in-situ measurement networks alone.


Our methodology involves training sophisticated machine learning models on extensive ground-based data from over 289 global monitoring stations, achieving exceptional correlation scores of 0.8 with observed soil moisture values. GEOFEM's trained models generate near real-time soil moisture estimates across study areas, identifying wet and dry zones that may indicate developing instability—all at a fraction of the cost of deploying extensive sensor networks.


A Proven Track Record: Jagersfontein


  • Our technology analysis detected elevated soil moisture levels (at pixel level of approximately 10m spatial resolution) at breach locations months before the actual failure.

  • GEOFEM identified significant increases in soil moisture along the failure profile during multiple monitoring periods.

  • Our data showed these moisture increases correlated strongly with signs of erosion and seepage.

Graph of soil moisture content vs. distance with red and blue lines, overlaid on an aerial map. Labels: P, Q. Dates: Aug 18, Feb 19.
Figure 1 Satellite-based soil moisture estimations for the Jagersfontein Tailings Dam with multi-source satellite data, was used to observe soil moisture variations along the dam wall from location P to Q.

Analysis revealed notable moisture spikes in areas that would later become failure zones, with soil moisture content ranging from 0.15 to 0.35 m³/m³ along critical sections of the dam wall.


Business Benefits of Soil Moisture Monitoring


For mining companies, satellite-based soil moisture monitoring offers compelling business advantages:


  1. Cost-Effective Early Detection: Identifies seepage and saturation issues at a fraction of the cost extensive in-situ networks.

  2. Comprehensive Coverage: Monitors entire dam structures rather than isolated measurement points, reducing blind spots.

  3. Reduced Operations Disruption: Provides continuous monitoring without requiring field access or equipment maintenance.

  4. Insurance and Liability Benefits: Enhanced monitoring capabilities may reduce insurance premiums and demonstrate due diligence.

  5. Regulatory Compliance: Provides robust documentation for safety reporting requirements.


Geofem’s correlation analysis between elevated soil moisture and subsequent dam failure demonstrates how our monitoring can identify high seepage rates and material softening before catastrophic failure potentially saving operations in remediation costs and avoiding devastating environmental liabilities.


Comparison of InSAR and In-Situ Soil Moisture Monitoring Approaches

Parameter

Satellite-Based Soil Moisture Monitoring

In-Situ Soil Moisture Monitoring

Advantage for Tailings Dams

Purpose

Detect moisture trends across large areas, enabling early warning for seepage, potential instability

Measure exact moisture content at specific depts and points

Satellite – broader situational awareness across dam wall basin, and surroundings

Technology

Microwave remote sensing

Time-domain reflectometry (TDR), gravity sampling, neutron probes

Depends – satellite best for regional trends; in-situ for specific engineering validation

Accuracy

±0.04–0.06 m³/m³ for top 5–10 cm of soil

±0.01–0.02 m³/m³ depending on method and conditions

In-situ – superior point accuracy

Spatial Resolution

10m x 10m

Point-specific

In-situ – better for high-precision spot checks; Satellite – better for regional coverage and pattern detection

Temporal Resolution

6 days revisit time, all-weather, day/night

Continuous (with sensors) or periodic (manual sampling)

Both have complementary strengths; satellite is better for wide-area, regular observations

Coverage

Global, including remote and inaccessible sites

Local only; site-specific installations

Satellite – critical for large tailings storage facilities (TSFs) in remote/minimally instrumented areas

Cost

Low to moderate (data often free from NASA/ESA; requires processing)

High (equipment + installation + maintenance + staffing)

Satellite – cost-effective for monitoring large TSFs or multiple sites

Operational Constraints

Affected by vegetation, surface roughness; limited penetration depth

Affected by soil heterogeneity, access, maintenance requirements

Satellite – less maintenance, safer for hazardous or remote sites

Key Applications

Early detection of anomalous moisture accumulation (e.g., dam wall seepage, slope wetting, post-rain saturation), regional hydrological modelling

Engineering validation, dam safety inspections, calibration of satellite data

Satellite – proactive risk detection; In-situ still essential for engineering-grade decisions

Advantages

Large-scale trend analysis, historical archive access, safer for inaccessible or unstable slopes

High-accuracy, layer-specific data

Satellite – better for early warning and strategic planning

Disadvantages

Lower spatial resolution; indirect measurement of moisture

Limited spatial extent; labour intensive

Satellite – better suited for initial alerts and scanning across TSF regions

Geofem’s Satellite-Derived Bathymetry: Precise, Cost-Effective Water Volume Management

Our SDB Technology


Geofem deploys Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) using sophisticated inversion methods to spectral bands from high-resolution imagery. These techniques can accurately retrieve bathymetric values in shallow waters up to 30 metres depth (in clear water) at significantly lower costs than traditional survey methods.


Geofem’s comprehensive SDB process includes:

  • Advanced sun-glint correction using multi-spectral data

  • Application of adaptive bathymetry algorithms

  • Precision smoothing with optimised filters to reduce noise

  • Expert calibration with minimal in-situ measurements for absolute depth values


Geofem's Integrated Monitoring Framework


Geofem’s combination of soil moisture monitoring, integrated with our InSAR displacement analysis capabilities, creates a comprehensive, cost-effective risk assessment framework. Our multi-sensor approach enables:


  • Holistic Risk Evaluation: GEOFEM combines structural, hydrological, and geotechnical indicators in a single platform

  • Early Warning Systems: Our integrated approach provides multiple failure precursor indicators

  • Operational Cost Optimisation: Data-driven decision-making reduces unnecessary field investigations

  • Enhanced Due Diligence: Demonstrates proactive risk management to regulators and stakeholders


Contact GEOFEM today to discuss how our satellite monitoring solutions can reduce your TSF management costs while improving safety and compliance outcomes.

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