Abstract
The Azul mining complex, located in the Carajas Mineral Province, Amazon region, encompasses the most important manganese mine in Brazil. Vale S.A. company operates three simultaneous open pit excavations (mines 1, 2, and 3) in the area, which are conducted on rock alteration products of low geomechanical quality related to sandstones, siltstones, and a lateritic cover. In order to monitor ground deformation, 33 TerraSAR-X (TSX-1) StripMap images covering the period of March 2012–April 2013 were used in the investigation. An advanced differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (A-DInSAR) approach based on persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) using an interferometric point target analysis algorithm was applied, and the results showed that most of the area was considered stable during the time span of the synthetic aperture radar acquisitions. However, persistent scatterers (PS) with high deformation rates were mapped over a waste pile, probably related to settlements, and also along the north flank of mine 1, indicative of cut slope movements toward the center of the pit. A spatial relationship of geological structures with PS was observed for this sector of the mine, given by PS showing deformation rates concentrated along a structural corridor with faults, fractures, and folds related to the Carajas fault system. Though only ground-based radar measurements for wall benches of mine 1 were available for a short time period of the TSX-1 coverage, the PS movement patterns showed concordance with geotechnical field measurements. The investigation emphasized the important role that satellite-based A-DInSAR can play for deformation monitoring and risk assessment in this kind of mining area.
Highlights
Brazil has 10% of the global manganese (Mn) reserves, after Ukraine (24%), South Africa (22%), and Australia (16%)
The distribution of persistent scatterers (PS) was not homogeneous: no stable targets were present on vegetated areas, while the detection of points was very good over the mining areas
interferometric point target analysis (IPTA) results provided a unique view of the ongoing deformative process in the mining area and showed that most of the area was stable during the time span of the TSX-1 coverage
Summary
Brazil has 10% of the global manganese (Mn) reserves, after Ukraine (24%), South Africa (22%), and Australia (16%). Scanning ground-based radar using differential interferometry, such as slope stability radar (SSR),[3] which monitors deformation quasicontinuously, is considered a real-time technique and is widely used by the majority of open pit mines for operational safety.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
