In early December 2024, the Turmalina mine in Brazil was temporarily shut down after the failure of a nearby tailings dam engulfed part of the mine structure.
According to mine managers, a visual inspection on December 7th had identified some areas of concern of the tailings pile. No personnel or community members were injured in the incident as an evacuation was carried out prior.
Material from the slump engulfed mining infrastructure at the site including pipes, outdoor storage areas, and emergency exits.
According to Jaguar, the mine’s owners, and the Brazilian National Mining Agency, the situation is under control and the mine will resume operation in approximately one month.
137 residents were evacuated to local hotels and shares of Jaguar Mining fell by 26.9% (according mining.com).
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is an insightful remote sensing technique that can help mine operators monitor and manage tailings piles, mitigating risks associated with slumps such as Satinoco.
InSAR analyses satellite radar images to measure ground displacement with millimetre-level accuracy. By regularly monitoring tailings piles, InSAR can identify subtle surface movements that may indicate potential instability long before they become visible to the naked eye. By the time operators registered the areas of concern of December 7th, it was likely far more difficult to mitigate the damage from the impending slump than if it had been detected earlier.
By analysing time-series data, InSAR can reveal trends in tailings pile over time. Patterns of accelerating displacement, for example, may signal an increased risk of a slump, enabling operators to take timely corrective actions such as re-grading, reinforcing embankments, or modifying water management practices. Moreover, InSAR is a cost-efficient solution for monitoring tailings piles compared to deploying extensive networks of sensors or conducting frequent ground surveys. The technology allows mine operators to allocate resources more effectively while maintaining high standards of safety and risk management.
Want to learn more about how InSAR can be used to monitor mining infrastructure? Contact Geofem via our website.
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