Mine Lease Deformation Baseline Assessment

12-Month Sentinel-1 SBAS InSAR Monitoring over an Active Open-Cast Mining Operation

Executive Summary

InSpectiv Labs completed a 12-month satellite-based ground deformation assessment over an active open-cast mining lease using Sentinel-1 SAR data processed with the SBAS InSAR technique. The assessment mapped overall lease stability, successfully pinpointed localized subsidence zones (-10 to -16 mm/yr) adjacent to active excavation, and differentiated mine-induced movement from off-site groundwater fluctuations.

The Challenge

Open-cast mining continuously modifies slope geometry, bench configurations, and localized hydrogeology. These operational changes induce gradual ground shifts long before visible cracks appear. Mine operators require continuous, lease-wide deformation screening without incurring the extreme capital expenditure of dense ground-based hardware sensor networks.

InSpectiv Labs Solution & Methodology

Data Engine

Sentinel-1A/B C-band SAR (IW Mode, Ascending Pass).

Processing Technique

SBAS (Small Baseline Subset) Interferometric Time-Series Analysis with atmospheric error mitigation.

Measurement Physics

Line-of-Sight (LOS) velocity mapping ranging from -16 mm/yr to +13 mm/yr.

Analytical Focus

12-Month Continuous Assessment Window.

Mine Lease Deformation Baseline Assessment — Figure 1. Average Line-of-Sight (LOS) ground velocity derived from Sentinel-1 SBAS InSAR processing, highlighting active high-risk deformation zones inside the lease boundary.

Key Technical Findings

Zone Classification	Observed Satellite Signal	Geotechnical Interpretation & Action
High-Risk Zone	-10 to -16 mm/yr	Active subsidence adjacent to active excavation. Immediate field verification and close monitoring required.
Moderate-Risk Zone	-5 to -10 mm/yr	Potential slope/ground settlement. Recommended for ongoing trend tracking across future observation cycles.
General Mine Lease	-5 to +13 mm/yr	Stable ground. No evidence of widespread or accelerating structural deformation detected.
Off-Site Anomalies	Localized Red Patches	Subsidence detected outside lease boundary; attributed to groundwater/seasonal moisture shifts, not mining activity.

Business Impact

Cost-Effective Screening

Evaluates multi-square-kilometer lease areas remotely, flagging risk zones for targeted engineering checks.

Anomaly Discrimination

Clear spatial delineation protects operators by distinguishing off-lease environmental shifts from mine-induced ground movements.

Proactive Risk Management

Enables integration of satellite radar insights into geotechnical planning, bench design, and site safety protocols.

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