| Summary: | A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in Environmental Science === Pollution originating from mine tailings is currently one of the environmental problems
South Africa has to deal with. Because of the large number of tailings impoundments and
their changing status, authorities are battling to keep their records and controls up to date.
This project is aimed at investigating the use of remote sensing as a way of conducting
surveys of mine tailings efficiently, regularly and at a low cost. Mine tailings impoundments of the Witwatersrand in Gauteng provide an ideal study area because of the large number of tailings dams of different sizes and conditions and the availability of
satellite images and aerial photographs covering the area. Tailings impoundments
conditions are analysed through satellite images, airborne multi-spectral data and aerial
photographs captured during the Safari 2000 dry season campaign. Remote sensing
interpretation of colour composites of multi-spectral bands, Principal Components and
supervised and unsupervised classifications are the methods of analysis used. The overall
goal of the project has been achieved through the production of a comprehensive database of tailings impoundments and their rehabilitation status, in an accessible format, containing identity, coordinates, area, rehabilitation status and owner of each tailings impoundment, map them and end up with a comprehensive database of tailings impoundment on the Witwatersrand. === AC2017
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