A global-scale spatial assessment and geodatabase of mine areas

Abstract

Despite massive growth in mining activity worldwide, efforts to assess the land use of mining at a global scale have been limited. Increasing satellite image quality and accessibility now permit detailed assessments of mine areas and their emerging geographical patterns. In this study, we produce a global-scale geospatial dataset of mine areas, comprised of 24,605 mine area polygons, mapped with high spatial precision in satellite imagery across 117 countries. Our dataset adds comprehensive detail on the global distribution, areal extent, and spatial form of mine areas, as well as new understandings of potential risks to surrounding areas. Our results reveal a total occupied land area of ~31,396.3 km 2 , averaging 1.3 km 2 per site. To illustrate potential insights enabled by our datasets, we performed detailed assessments of the geographical distribution of global mine areas in terms of their spatial density, elevations, and areas relative to rivers basins, climate zones, and human development factors. Our study promotes increasing access to high-quality spatial data to facilitate more systematic global management of mine wastes, pollution and mine land management. • 24,605 mine area polygons are delineated across 117 countries, covering 31,396.3 km 2 , at an average of 1.3 km 2 per site. • The spatial distribution of minareas differs between regions, with the highest spatial densities of mining (>100/1000 km 2 ) situated in the North China Plain and Western Australia. • Mine wastes are mostly (46.9%) situated from sea level to 400 m elevation, with an exponential decrease between 400 m and 650 m, linear decrease from 650 m to 2250 m, and the lowest occupancy above 2250 m. • Mine areas relative to rivers basins, climate zones, and human development factors are also explored.