Application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System

(GIS) to study the Impact of Mining Activities on the Environment

ALOK KUMAR MOHAPATRA AND AMARNATH DAS The Bisra Stone Lime Co. Ltd. Birmitrapur, Sundargarh, Orissa

Subsidiary of Rastriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. Vizag, Vishakhapatnam

Govt. Of India Enterprise

Communicating author: alokgpiitkgp@gmail.com &

alokmohapatraiitkgp@gmail.com

Intensive mining activity often leads to severe environmental degradation if timely and

suitable corrective steps are not taken. Space remote sensing imageries and Geographic

Information System (GIS) are now being regularly employed to assess the environmental

damage resulting from extensive mining activities in various areas. Primary industries, which

extract raw material from nature such as mining, form the backbone of developing economies

throughout the world. Mining process involves several stages such as site exploration,

development, active mining, disposal of over burden and waste rock, ore

extraction/beneficiation/processing and mine closure. Each stages of the mining process has

the potential for different impacts of various degrees depending on the sensitivity of local

topography, the type of technology employed the proficiency and knowledge of the company

and its ability to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental rules and regulations. A

methodical and multidisciplinary approach of mapping, monitoring and controlling the

impact of the mining activities is essential to understand the character and magnitude of these

hazardous events in an area. The aim of this paper is addresses the issues concerning mining

and its impact on the environment and on goes to assess the currently available various

remotely sensed geoinformatics tools for capturing up-to-date and detailed earth observation

data, processing and interpretation in mining induced environmental problems.

Key words: Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Impact of Mining and

Environment.

DR. ALOK KUMAR MOHAPATRA, MSc, PhD. IIT Kharagpur

MANAGER (Geology & Environment),

The Bisra Stone Lime Co. Ltd. Birmitrapur &

The Orissa Mineral Development Co. Ltd. Barbil

Subsidiary of Rastriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. Vizag, Vishakhapatnam

Govt. Of India Enterprises

Email: alokgpiitkgp@gmail.com

Mr. AMARNATH DAS,

Sr. General Manager & Business Head

The Bisra Stone Lime Co. Ltd. Birmitrapur

Subsidiary of Rastriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. Vizag, Vishakhapatnam

Govt. Of India Enterprises

Email:amardas5160@gmail.com