INTEGRATED MINING IMPACT MONITORING (EU-PROJECT I²MON) FOR OPEN-PIT AND UNDERGROUND MINES

Abstract. Monitoring mining impact has become increasingly important as the awareness of safety and environmental protection is rising. Our project Integrated Mining Impact Monitoring (i2Mon), funded by European Commission – Research Fund for Coal and Steel, intends to monitor the mining-induced impact, in particular, ground movement. The monitoring system comprises terrestrial measurement and remote sensing: levelling, GPS, LiDAR scanning, UAV survey, and SAR interferometry. The aim is to launch an interactive GIS-based platform as an early warning and decision making service for mining industry. This study has developed a scheme based on advanced SAR interferometry to monitor the ground movement over an extensive area at millimetre level. The first test site is a deactivated open-pit mine in Cottbus, Germany owned by Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG. The whole area was reclaimed into a post-mining lake and must be monitored for the safety. The second test site is located in Poland, where the underground mining operated by POLSKA GRUPA GÓRNICZA began in June 2021. We have monitored the in-situ ground movement carefully as part of the influenced area covers the human settlement. The ground movement of our test sites was analysed from Sentinel-1 images. The crucial parameters include stepwise movement series, instantaneous velocities and accelerations, and significance index. In addition, six corner reflectors along with sensors like GPS were installed across the region in Cottbus. They were observed in the Sentinel-1 series and the GPS readings will be used for validation. Finally, all the data will be integrated into DMT’s platform – SAFEGUARD.