Fieldwork at Cerro Colorado: Taking a Closer Look at Mine Waste
Exploring an active waste rock dump
As part of MOSMIN’s ongoing fieldwork, the team recently visited the Cerro Colorado mine, operated by Atalaya Mining, to study one of its large and active waste rock dumps.
The visit involved collecting high-resolution data from both the ground and the air. Ground-based hyperspectral measurements were taken across a range of wavelengths, while drones captured detailed imagery of the waste deposit to create a 3D model of its surface.
Collecting data from the ground and air
The team also collected samples from the waste dump and spoke with Atalaya Mining about the mine’s operations, including how waste deposits are constructed and rehabilitated. These insights provide important context for understanding the field data.
Connecting fieldwork with satellite data
The fieldwork will help MOSMIN connect what can be observed on the ground with information collected by drones and satellites. In particular, the data will be used to identify different materials within the waste deposit, validate hyperspectral observations from above, and build a more accurate picture of its structure and how it changes over time.
Building a more complete picture of mine waste
By combining detailed field measurements with Earth Observation data, MOSMIN is working towards a more comprehensive picture of mine waste deposits and how they can be monitored throughout their lifecycle.
A big thank you to Atalaya Mining for supporting the fieldwork and sharing their knowledge and experience with the MOSMIN team!
