Advances in Geotechnical Monitoring Technologies for Tailings Storage Facilities in the U.S.: A Systematic Review

Lawrence Sarpong () and Abass Aliu ()

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT), 2026, vol. 11, issue 08, 303-312

Abstract: Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) pose significant geotechnical and environmental risks that requires advanced and reliable monitoring systems capable of detecting early signs instability. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 26 studies published between 2020 and 2026 to evaluate recent advances in geotechnical monitoring technologies for tailings storage facilities (TSFs), with a particular focus on their application within the United States. Five major technology categories were identified: satellite InSAR (Sentinel-1, SBAS-InSAR), UAV-based imaging and photogrammetry, distributed and point sensors (DAS, MEMS, ERT), AI and machine learning for predictive analytics, and integrated visualization early warning systems. Satellite InSAR provides millimeter-scale deformation monitoring at 6-12-day intervals but cannot capture subsurface changes. UAV imaging achieves sub-centimeter erosion mapping but is weather-dependent. DAS and ERT offer high-resolution internal monitoring but require permanent installations. AI classifiers have demonstrated >85% accuracy for hazard prediction, yet require large labeled datasets and face interpretability challenges. U.S.-specific adoption remains limited due to economic barriers, regulatory fragmentation, and workforce expertise gaps, despite climate-induced stressors that increase failure risks. The review concludes that no single monitoring technology can adequately address all TSF safety challenges. Future priorities include prospective validation of integrated systems at U.S. TSFs, development of interpretable AI models, shared industry data repositories, and performance-based regulatory frameworks. Without deliberate investment, U.S. TSFs will remain vulnerable to preventable failures.

Keywords: Tailings storage facilities; geotechnical monitoring; Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR); Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV); Technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.ijisrt.com/advances-in-geotechnical-mo ... -a-systematic-review (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cvr:ijisrt:2026:08:ijisrt26aug190

DOI: 10.38124/ijisrt/26aug190

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT) from IJISRT Publication
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Rahul Goyel ().