Study on mine development monitoring based on high-resolution remote sensing images

Mineral resources are non-renewable natural resources; the development of remote sensing technology provides a strong technical support for the mine development and management. In this paper, Yichang phosphorite area was selected as the study area which is a key mining area of being rectified and standardized by the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, and used QuickBird high-resolution remote sensing image acquired on November 17, 2009 to interpret the situation of mine development. Combined with the field examination, the interpretation results revealed that there are 11 categories mines and 221 exploit points in the study area, dominant mineral is phosphorite, 159 mines within the mining sector, 17 cross-border exploitation mines, 28 undocumented exploitation mines, 17 exploiting on behalf of mining mines, 76 discontinued or closed mines. The comparison between interpretation results and calendar year figures data showed that mine management of Yichang phosphorite area has achieved some success, number of mines has decreased, but mines outside the mining sector and exploiting on behalf of mining mines are yet exist.