- Exploration
GIS is ideal for integrating various exploration datasets such as geophysical images, geochemistry, geologic maps, radiometric surveys, boreholes, and mineral deposits. GIS gives the explorations tools to manage, display, and analyze data, resulting in successful, cost-effective discovery of new mineral deposits.
- Development and Production
GIS can be used extensively during the development and production phases of a mining operation. Reserve estimates, annual planned production, or cost-per-ton statistics can be linked to complementary geospatial technology, such as GPS. GIS can be applied to both short-term and long-term scheduling to help optimize production at operations. In production planning, GIS can help to site and query the location of service facilities relative to the main production centers.
- Mining Closure and Reclamation
The initial inventory of abandoned mine features through the closure of mines and mills, GIS systems are playing an increasing role in abandoned mine land reclamation. GPS data can be overlaid onto GIS maps to provide precise routes to, and locations of, abandoned mine sites. The GIS mapping allows rapid sizing and plotting of mine openings, waste piles and cultural features for accurate drawing and quantity computations during office design of the closures. Tied to coordinate systems, the maps are accurate with respect to orientation and provide precise information for the preparation of construction documents.
Use of GIS for Mining Activities:
- Target mineral exploration
- Evaluate mining conditions
- Model mine construction
- Display geo-chemical and hydrology data
- Improve facility management and policing
- Apply for mining permits
- Assess environmental impact
- Manage land titles
- Process closures
- Plan reclamation activities
- Improve community education