Monitor stability of surface reservoirs such as settling ponds

Challenge ID:

HCP-3204

Originator:

Onshore: Hatfield

Title:

Monitor stability of surface reservoirs such as settling ponds.

Theme:

ON 3.3: Subsidence monitoring – Infrastructure monitoring

Consortium Lead:

C-CORE

Interviewed Company:

C-CORE

Geography:

ON.REG.03 - Canada

Challenge Description

What is not possible / not adequately addressed at present?

Regulatory requirements to identify seepage from tailings ponds and surface flow - does it reach ground water systems? Need to assess tailings ponds stability and detect seepage areas with hydrology modeling of surface flows and ground water connectivity.

What effect does this challenge have on operations?

Environmental consequences due to tailings ponds berm failures and excess seepage flowing into ground water or river/lake systems.

Thematic information requirements:

Land cover

Surface motion (horizontal and vertical)

Water quantity

Distribution and status of infrastructure

What do you currently do to address this challenge? 

How is this challenge conventionally addressed?

Field surveys are typically carried out on site to make assessments.

What kind of solutions do you envisage could address this challenge?

Wet area detections that are anomalous to a site based on current climatic conditions.

What is your view on the capability of technology to meet this need?

Are you currently using EO tech? If not, why not?

Have not been using EO - likely very challengeing. Really need detection of fluid flow into ground water.

Challenge Classification

Impact on Lifecycle (0=none, 4=high):

Climate / Topography / Urgency:

Pre-license:

2

Climate class:

Severe Mid-Latitude

Exploration:

1

Topographic class:

Forest / woodland

Development:

1

Seasonal variations:

Any season

Production:

4

Impact area:

Environmental

Decommissioning:

3

Technology urgency:

2 - Short term (2-5 years)

Challenge Information Requirements

Update frequency:

Quarterly

Data currently used:

Medium resolution satellite imagery

Ground based survey data

Spatial resolution:

Basin

Thematic accuracy:

Not specific

Required formats:

Not Specific

Timeliness (Vintage):

Within a week

Geographic extents:

Regional

Existing standards:

None