Tailings Pond Bathymetry and Soil Moisture Detection by Satellite
- 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.

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.

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:
Cost-Effective Early Detection: Identifies seepage and saturation issues at a fraction of the cost extensive in-situ networks.
Comprehensive Coverage: Monitors entire dam structures rather than isolated measurement points, reducing blind spots.
Reduced Operations Disruption: Provides continuous monitoring without requiring field access or equipment maintenance.
Insurance and Liability Benefits: Enhanced monitoring capabilities may reduce insurance premiums and demonstrate due diligence.
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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