Case Study: Freeport-McMoRan improves tailings pond monitoring and water model calibration with Planet satellite imagery

Satellite Remote Sensing for Mining Facility Management

Freeport-McMoRan, a leading international mining company, faced a challenge in monitoring its tailings storage facilities (TSFs) due to reduced on-site capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the inherent dangers of physical inspections. The company needed more frequent remote sensing data to ensure operational safety and effective water management. To address this, they turned to vendor Planet and its PlanetScope satellite imagery service for an extra layer of monitoring.

The solution involved integrating Planet's near-daily satellite imagery into Freeport-McMoRan's existing data pipeline. This provided the high temporal frequency needed to accurately map water location, calibrate water models, and allow for remote inspections, keeping engineers safe. The results included improved water model calibration, enhanced visibility for decision-makers via online dashboards, and the discovery of additional use-cases for general mapping and dust control. Planet's data became a crucial component of the company's remote sensing toolkit.

Freeport-McMoRan

Leland Sutter

Geospatial Analyst