Open cast mine monitoring and environmental impact studies through remote sensing ‐ a case study from Goa, India

Abstract

Environmental impact of opencast iron ore mines in Goa, India has been studied using remote sensing data and limited ground based information with the help of Leopold matrix method, factor analysis and cluster analysis methods. From the remote sensing studies it was observed that increase in mining activities are associated with decreasing vegetation and land degradation in the study area. Turbid zones of surface water were also demarcated through remote sensing study. The Leopold matrix method suggested three project actions viz. surface excavations, surface transport and solid waste disposal responsible for affecting soils, landforms, ground water and flora. From the factor analysis and cluster analysis of soil chemical data four zones of soil samples and the impact of mine wash off overburden on the soil quality was established. The marginal impact of mining on ground water was inferred from the preliminary results of oxygen isotope study.