Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis Using Optical Satellite Imagery and GIS Data for the Detection of Mining Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fritjof Luethje,Olaf Kranz,Elisabeth Schoepfer

doi:10.3390/rs6076636

Abstract

Earth observation is an important source of information in areas that are too remote, too insecure or even both for traditional field surveys. A multi-scale analysis approach is developed to monitor the Kivu provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to identify hot spots of mining activities and provide reliable information about the situation in and around two selected mining sites, Mumba-Bibatama and Bisie. The first is the test case for the approach and the detection of unknown mining sites, whereas the second acts as reference case since it is the largest and most well-known location for cassiterite extraction in eastern Congo. Thus it plays a key-role within the context of the conflicts in this region. Detailed multi-temporal analyses of very high-resolution (VHR) satellite data demonstrates the capabilities of Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) techniques for providing information about the situation during a mining ban announced by the Congolese President between September 2010 and March 2011. Although the opening of new surface patches can serve as an indication for activities in the area, the pure change between the two satellite images does not in itself produce confirming evidence. However, in combination with observations on the ground, it becomes evident that mining activities continued in Bisie during the ban, even though the production volume went down considerably.

Highlights

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) suffers from a vicious circle of violence
Analysis (GEOBIA) approach implemented in eCognition 8 using Cognition Network Language (CNL)
In many mines of North and South Kivu, the exploitation and trade of mineral resources, in particular cassiterite, gold, coltan and wolframite are controlled by armed groups [7] that profit from illicit exploitation of natural resources while governmental authority in the provinces in question is constantly weakened [1]

Summary

Introduction

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) suffers from a vicious circle of violence. The country is ranked among the most mineral-rich countries in the world [1,2]. The DRC is economically one of the poorest and on the edge of a failed state [3,4]. The mining sector in the DRC is increasingly seen as the economic foundation for the country’s post-conflict reconstruction, the sector still plays a critical role in local and regional conflicts [5]. The so-called conflict minerals—cassiterite (tin ore), coltan (tantalum ore), wolframite (tungsten) and gold to mention only a few—have become the centre of a civil war-like situation that resulted in the death of over five million Congolese in the past twelve years [6].

Methods

Results

Conclusion