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An update on global mining land use
Victor Maus1,2, Stefan Giljum3, Dieison M da Silva4
1Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna, 1020, Austria. victor.maus@wu.ac.at.
Scientific Data
|July 22, 2022
Summary
This study maps global mining land use, revealing a significant increase in mining sites and affected areas. This updated dataset is crucial for understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of mineral extraction on biodiversity.
Area of Science:
- Earth Science
- Environmental Science
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Growing mineral demand drives mining into biodiversity-rich areas.
- Accurate global mining land use mapping is essential for impact assessment.
- This study updates previous global mining site mapping efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create an updated global dataset of mining land use.
- To quantify the extent and features of mining activities worldwide.
- To provide a resource for assessing mining's environmental impact.
Main Methods:
- Visual interpretation of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery from 2019.
- Inspection of over 34,000 mining locations globally.
- Creation of polygon features for various mining-related ground features.
Main Results:
- A global dataset with 44,929 polygons covering 101,583 km² of mining land use.
- Substantial increase in coverage compared to the previous dataset version.
- Polygons detail open cuts, tailings dams, waste rock dumps, and processing plants.
Conclusions:
- The updated dataset provides a comprehensive view of global mining land use.
- This resource aids in quantifying and mitigating mining's adverse effects on biodiversity.
- The data is publicly available for research and conservation efforts.
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