Analysis of Storage Capacity Change and Dam Failure Risk for Tailings Ponds Using WebGIS-Based UAV 3D Image

Meihong Zhi, Yun Zhu (), Ji-Cheng Jang, Shuxiao Wang, Pen-Chi Chiang, Chuang Su, Shenglun Liang, Ying Li and Yingzhi Yuan
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Meihong Zhi: College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yun Zhu: College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
Ji-Cheng Jang: College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
Shuxiao Wang: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Pen-Chi Chiang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10673, Taiwan
Chuang Su: Solid Waste and Chemicals Environmental Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510308, China
Shenglun Liang: Cloud Information and Environmental Science Technology Company Limited, Foshan 528300, China
Ying Li: Center for Satellite Application on Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100094, China
Yingzhi Yuan: College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: Tailings ponds, essential components of mining operations worldwide, present considerable potential hazards downstream in the event of tailings dam failures. In recent years, instances of tailings dam failures, carrying potential environmental safety hazards, have occasionally occurred on a global scale due to the limited technical approaches available for safety supervision of tailings ponds. In this study, an innovative WebGIS-based unmanned aerial vehicle oblique photography (UAVOP) method was developed to analyze the storage capacity change and dam failure risk of tailings ponds. Its applicability was then validated by deploying it at a tailings pond in Yunfu City, Guangdong Province, China. The results showed that the outcomes of two phases of real-scene 3D images met the specified accuracy requirements with an RSME of 0.147–0.188 m in the plane and 0.198–0.201 m along the elevation. The storage capacities of phase I and phase II tailings ponds were measured at 204,798.63 m 3 and 148,291.27 m 3 , respectively, with a storage capacity change of 56,031.51 m 3 . Moreover, the minimum flood control dam widths, minimum free heights, and dam slope ratios of the tailings pond were determined to comply with the flood control requirements, indicating a low risk of dam failure of the tailings pond. This pilot case study demonstrated the performance of the UAVOP in evaluating storage capacity change and dam failure risk for tailings ponds. It not only enhanced the efficiency of dynamic safety supervision of tailings ponds but also offered valuable references for globally analogous research endeavors.

Keywords: UAV three-dimensional image; WebGIS; storage capacity change; dam failure risk; tailings pond (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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