Application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Technologies to Assess the Impact of Mining: A Case Study at Emalahleni

Abstract

This article presents an assessment of the impact of mining activities in the Emalahleni municipality, using GIS and RS technologies. The random forest algorithm was used to classify the land use and land cover in the Emalahleni municipality over a three-decade period (1990–2020). The classifications are settlement, water, mining area, vegetation, and bare land. The majority of the study area was found to be rocky ground, accounting for approximately 60% of the total study area. Change detection maps were created for vegetation and mining to assess the extent of land degradation in the study area over the three-decade period. The findings in this study highlight the importance of understanding the changes in land use and vegetation cover in the study area and its impact on the environment, as well as the local community. It is crucial to develop sustainable land management strategies that ensure that a reasonable balance concerning the economic development activities is achieved, such as mining with environmental management for its long-term viability for future generations. The data presented in this study provides a useful baseline for further research and can inform land-use planning and decision-making processes in Emalahleni.