Satellite Technology Can Be Used To Detect Illegal Mining

Satellite illustration (doc. Nasa Gov)

JAKARTA - Satellite technology combined with machine learning makes it able to monitor illegal mining activities that occur in various parts of the world. Such illegal mining can be detected by utilizing satellite photos from the surface of planet Earth.

This allows the authorities to track and crackdown on possible illegal mining operations. A combination of satellite surveillance and machine learning is claimed to have successfully tracked illegal gold mining operations taking place in Peru. The mining has caused major damage to the environment in the Madre de Dios area, as The Conversation reported.

According to Sputnik News, a scientist from Dartmouth University named David Lutz worked to integrate NASA's database with "commercial images over the last five years" to improve image resolution so his team could use "new computer vision algorithms". The algorithm is able to detect mining activities that occur on the surface of the Earth.

"This methodology allows us to add human-used objects to equations, offering a level of detail not previously seen by us," Lutz said.

Mining in Madre de Dios has clogged the river and made the land bald. Not only that, but mining has also polluted local waters. The pollution poses a potential danger to wildlife and locals. The mining activity was successfully detected by satellites.

Cracking down on such mining operations, Peruvian authorities have sought to stop illegal gold mining in the region. The move prompted the miners to move to another location away from Peruvian government control.