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Metria – bridging the gap between map and reality
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(2013-06-18) In order to show that Chikweti Forests fulfill forest certification requirements Metria mapped forest changes in time series of more than 70 satellite images covering forest concessions in Mozambique.

In order to show that Chikweti Forests fulfill forest certification requirements Metria mapped forest changes in time series of more than 70 satellite images covering forest concessions in Mozambique. A new powerful method for analysis was applied with detailed forest change mapping using time series of satellite data. The results (chikweti_example) clearly show what areas that have been changed since the introduction of forest certification.

Source Metria

Esri International User Conference, San Diego, 8th July 2013: Satellite imagery from DMCii is now fully supported within Esri’s popular ArcGIS software, making it easier for customers to work with the large multi-spectral images.

Launched at Esri UC today, ArcGIS 10.2 provides built-in support to help users get the most out of DMC 22m multispectral imagery. The new built-in support enables users to import this satellite imagery into their projects whilst preserving information such as location, time, and spectral bands and making it easily accessible by the user.

DMC satellites provide 48 state coverage of the United States on a cloud-optimised 15 day repeat. The new built-in support streamlines the process of grouping images and building catalogues allowing, for example, forestry users to easily compare changes in forest canopy or agricultural users to easily identify in-field variability of crops over time.

Paul Stephens, Director of Sales and Marketing at DMCii, explains “The additional support for DMCii imagery in ArcGIS 10.2 means it’s now easier than ever for over a million ArcGIS users to build our satellite imagery into their GIS.”

Lawrie Jordan, Director of Imagery at Esri adds, “Satellite imagery is an authoritative source of information for many applications. DMC satellite imagery has many unique attributes such as very large area coverage, and rapid revisit to a given area and we are pleased to work with DMCii to enhance our user’s experience working with this dataset within ArcGIS 10.2.”

Data processing chains can also be shortened with built-in support for DMCii imagery reducing the need for extensive processing. This, combined with real-time processing in ArcGIS 10.2, means images can be analysed and put to use more quickly than ever before.

To find out more, visit DMCii at booth #1700 at the Esri International User Conference.

About DMCii
DMCii is a UK-based supplier of remote sensing data products and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMCii’s data is primarily used in a wide variety of commercial and government applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping, which benefit from reliable high temporal resolution optical imagery.

In partnership with the UK Space Agency and the other DMC member nations (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey and Spain), DMCii works with the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ to provide free satellite imagery for humanitarian use in the event of major international disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, fires and flooding.

DMCii was formed in October 2004 and is a subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the world leader in small satellite technology. SSTL designed and built the DMC with the support of the UK Space Agency and in conjunction with the other DMC Consortium member nations listed above.

DMCii is not affiliated in any way with Intergraph Corp., Z/I Imaging Corp., or their registered trademark DMC.

Notes to editor:
This press release can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/dmciipr

Press contacts:

  • Robin Wolstenholme, bcm public relations, www.bcmpublicrelations.com
    Tel: +44 (0)1306 882288 Email: r.wolstenholme@bcmpublicrelations.com
  • Paul Stephens, Sales & Marketing Director, DMCii, www.dmcii.com
    Tel: +44 (0)1483 804299 Email: p.stephens@dmcii.com

Provision of accurate 3D Mapping Data to generate new and update existing geological maps in extremely geologically active, heavily clouded regions is a challenge. The emergence of 3D radar mapping has proven to be a disruptive technology in this field.

Background Project

Indonesia is a rapidly developing nation in South East Asia. Natural resource extraction and infrastructure improvement are keys to this ongoing development. In addition, as part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is extremely geologically active: earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have frequent impacts on people and property throughout the nation. Reliable geologic mapping is required to assist with Indonesia’s development goals and simultaneously reduce the risk of geological hazards on the population.

Issue and needs

From a mapping perspective, areas near the equator (which Indonesia sits astride) represent a particular problem: much of the land-mass is almost continuously under cloud cover. Traditional mapping approaches use aerial or satellite photography as the foundation layer upon which all maps (paper or increasingly digital) maps are created. This means that many areas in Indonesia are not accurately mapped, since clouds cover the terrain, making repeat passes with aircraft or satellites necessary.

During the last 15 years, radar mapping has moved from a scientific curiosity to a fully-fledged remote-sensing technology. The advantage of radar waves is that they can penetrate cloud cover, and even operate in complete darkness, virtually guaranteeing coverage in a single pass. This reduces the cost, and greatly improves the “schedule reliability” of any tropical mapping project using radar. Astrium Geo-Information Services has the commercial exploitation rights to two radar satellites: TerraSAR-X and TanDEMX. This allows Astrium GEO to collect radar imagery and create 3D DEMs over any terrain surface.

Once the images and DEMs are collected, they require some manual interaction to fix any errors in the elevation model (terrain editing), adjust water elevations (hydro-enforcement) and perform Quality Control.

Proposed solution

Because the areas involved for the two Geology projects were so large (several hundred-thousand km2), it was decided to partner with an Indonesian firm to undertake the manual terrain and hydro editing steps. Final Quality Control of the data was maintained by Astrium GEO. The Indonesian partners were then involved with the final packaging and distribution of the data to the Indonesian Government.

The partner firms were somewhat familiar with radar data, having previously purchased and distributed radar imagery from both airborne and satellite sources. One of the firms also had topographic mapping experience and contour generation experience using radar-derived DEMs. However, terrain and hydro-editing on the scale required for these projects was unknown to these firms. A strategy was developed to transfer knowledge and technology to these companies, so they could succeed in the short time-window required for these projects.

Industry perspective

In order to save on software costs, which can greatly increase the internal cost and price of the overall project, it was decided to use freeware software as much as possible for the delineation of water bodies. A workflow was developed by Astrium GEO to integrate freeware software into the normal production process. Hands-on training was provided to the partner firms in radar interpretation, data-flow management and overall production management and reporting. Wherever possible, data and production information was shared online, so as to reduce costs and improve communication across six time-zones.

Regular on-line discussions were held to provide quality and production feedback to the partner firms. Metrics about quality acceptance (and failure) were provided to ensure that production processes were improved, and individuals re-trained where necessary.


Fig. TerraSAR-X based DEM, Mount_Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia

Cost justification

The manual surveying of vast areas of Indonesia to create new and update existing geological maps is neither cost nor time effective. The only way to undertake such a task is through remote earth observation. With the weather and terrain challenges of Indonesia, the emergence of radar mapping and 3D radar mapping has proven to be a disruptive technology in this field.

For Astrium GEO, the inclusion of Indonesian partner firms in the production of DEMs is also essential. This inclusion allows Astrium GEO increased access to markets, and allows Astrium GEO the flexibility to add production capacity when necessary to undertake outsized projects very quickly.

Return of investment

The Indonesian Geological Survey now has imagery and elevation information for the majority of Indonesia, including some areas that have never been comprehensively mapped before. The actual generation of the geological maps is an internal process that will continue for some years.

Astrium GEO maintains its relationships with its Indonesian commercial partners. These production partners were able to reduce overall data production costs, and increase the speed of the overall product creation and distribution. The partners are now fully trained in radar DEM production, and stand available to assist with future production requirements in Indonesia and elsewhere.

Additional information

  • Provision of 3D Mapping Data to the Indonesian Government Geological Survey
  • Keywords: 2011 and 2012 / Minerals and Mining/ Map geological features /
  • Production of 3D Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)

Students monitored rainforests using Earthwatchers (geospatial crowd-sourced web-monitoring tool) and Earth Observation to provide the intelligence required to halt illegal deforestation. In the presented pilot of Earthwatchers concept near real-time access to EO data was secured through TerraSAR-X ortho-rectified imagery and automatically generated change information. The overall service provides a new approach to education by involving users directly in the conservation effort with direct access to real data. Knowledge and results are shared by collaborating in a social media environment.


Background Project

The second largest island in the world, a mere half century ago, Borneo was covered nearly entirely by tropical rainforest. Illegal logging activities and the conversion of land for palm oil plantations has however drastically reduced rainforest acreage, to the detriment of orangutan populations. This has also contributed substantially to the accumulation of greenhouse gases. According to the WWF, 75% of the wood in Indonesia is obtained from illegal logging. The scope of the problem is acknowledged both in the scientific world and in politics, as is the necessity to preserve the rainforest. However, new solutions are urgently needed as large areas of rainforest are disappearing on a daily basis.

Issue and needs

DeforestACTION is a worldwide action plan to save the rainforest, and is a campaign in which young people from all over the world are involved. It aims to help monitor deforestation in Borneo in order to preserve and protect the habitat of the orangutan and preserve livelihoods of local communities.

The difficulty fighting illegal logging in Indonesia is to locate and identify the deforestation in vast and inaccessible areas early enough to initiate mitigation action.

Proposed solution

A new software tool ‘Earthwatchers’ developed by GEODAN for the DeforestACTION project and a large range of Earth observation data are used to tackle the problem. This allows young people all over the world to monitor the rainforest with the aid of a webGIS environment and current satellite images and publish reports on their findings.

However to effectively combat illegal logging timely provision of up-to date EO imagery covering large regions at high resolution to detect skid trails and also small scale changes of forest canopy is required. Frequent acquisitions of optical imagery are hindered by almost permanent cloud cover over Borneo.

The radar satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X are able to reliably provide high-resolution SAR imagery with a resolution of up to 1m independent of weather conditions and illumination. In addition they exhibit a unique geo-localization accuracy which is a prerequisite for field teams (eco-warriors) to find distributed small scale loggings. These facts make the imagery particularly well suited to monitor Borneo’s rainforests. Therefore TerraSAR-X imagery and derived change indicators were gathered to the DeforestAction project by Astrium GEO-Information Services and have been used in the EarthWatchers test campaign in 2012.

Industry perspective

EarthWatchers application provides access to current EO data and enables participants from around the world to monitor the forests of Borneo and provide usable intelligence to help stop deforestation.

Astrium Geo-information Services made available TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar imagery and derived change products in a few hours after acquisition for a site near Ensaid Panjang despite the challenge of conflicts with commercial orders and TanDEM-X mission objectives1. Imagery for two test sites in West Kalimantan has been acquired. TerraSAR-X high resolution SpotLight of Ensaid Panjang was used to directly compare with the Landsat images reflecting the status of forest in 2008 and 2010. For the second test site Tembak extending approximately 100 km by 60 km TerraSAR-X StripMap imagery was acquired in 3 m resolution mode to achieve larger coverage. The acquisition was repeated under the same geometry one month later allowing for direct comparison of measured radar backscatter values. This form of image comparison is the basic concept for Astrium GEO’s SAR based change detection product and services. It is very sensitive to surface changes and proved that even small scale selective logging activities can be detected which indicate forest degradation. An example of a change detected with TerraSAR-X in a vast forest area has been used for the EarthWatchers videos.


Fig. Earthwatchers Alert Detection , TerrraSAR-X High Resolution SpotLight of Ensaid Panjang site. Clear patterns of Palm oil plantations instead of rainforest

In the EarthWatchers application the rainforest to be monitored is divided up into 1.6 km² hexagons, and these are assigned to individual ‘agents’. These agents monitor their parcels and through the use of satellite imagery, identify and mark changes in land patterns over a period of time, and are able to work together in a social-network environment.

On ground EarthWatchers are supported by Eco Warriors who also assisted the villagers of Ensaid Panjang longhouse who are facing challenges to hold on to their community forest against palm oil companies. Verfied changes are shared with relevant local authorities, who will then investigate any deforestation in that area.

(1) The aim of the TanDEM-X mission is to acquire the data basis for the global Digital Elevation Model (DEM), WorldDEM™.

Cost justification

The project demonstrates new ways to preserve forests at risk and create livelihoods for local landowners as well as helping animals who are victims of deforestation. It creates a global awareness campaign for the destruction caused by palm oil production.

‘Many people are worried about the condition of the rainforest here and would like to make a contribution to finding a solution. With this project, we make it possible for everyone to take action themselves. This way, people are part of the solution and, using the Earthwatchers application, they are able to see for themselves what is happening’.

Return of investiment

The benefits of the combination of web-GIS based innovative software and radar based Earth Observation such as TerraSAR-X /TanDEM-X are manifold. Overall, it Involves Earthwatchers from around the world in forest conservation efforts via Satellite Earth Observation (crowd-sourcing effort allocating small areas to millions of volunteers each) and increases environmental and specific deforestation awareness.

High resolution weather independent radar data like TerraSAR-X and Tandem-X is indispensable for tropical rainforest monitoring. However, fully automated change products show all surface changes and have to be evaluated by human intelligence. The developed crowdsourcing tools and techniques for human computation of radar earth observation deployed on a webGIS environment linked to social media enable collaborative intelligence (joint decision by crowd wisdom) and improving the system by self-learning on results. It proves that useful results can be harnessed from radar earth observation analyzed using human computation (in a crowdsourcing effort).

The program contributes by teaching the interpretation of radar imagery which is not as intuitive as optical imagery and creates awareness and learning materials about earth observation (especially radar) tailored to students aged 12-18. In addition the Earthwatcher tool makes available and accessible different geographic layers of the specified area for the Earthwatchers to explore and understand the inter-relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in forest conservations (biodiversity layer, forest density, human accessibility and infrastructure, carbon deposits, etc).

The Earthwatchers application gives schoolchildren a fun way to learn about advanced technology such as social media, GIS and remote sensing. By adding special context information, such as rivers and palm plantations, the application is also suitable for use in teaching programs addressing deforestation issues.

Additional information

  • Service provider: Geodan, Astrium GEO-Information Services
  • User/Customer: EarthWatchers, Eco Warriors, local communites & land owners, Environmental conservation NGOs, Institutions responsible for REDD+ MRV implementation
  • EO service: Detect illegal forest activities. Timely support of web-based crowd -sourced rainforest monitoring by TerraSAR-X imagery & automatic change detection layers
  • Keywords: Earthwatchers, TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, REDD+ MRV; deforestation, forest degradation, forest monitoring, illegal logging, change detection, crowd-sourcing, webGIS, Germany 2012
  • www.deforestaction.org

About one fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by forest destruction with highest contribution from carbon-rich topical forests. REDD+, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, aims to significantly reduce these emissions and enhance forest carbon stock by performance based payments. Proof of emissions reductions requires a special system of monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) for large, inaccessible areas at requested observation frequency, independent from local interests as well as from external “handicaps” like cloud covers.

Both the Indonesian and Ghanaian pilot projects have shown the invaluable benefits and efficiency of the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X space-borne radar missions in the field of tropical forest monitoring for REDD+. The use of these highly accurate technologies has been proven in the field and won the recognition of local authorities and project partners. The developed services will help develop innovative approaches and methods for national MRV implementation. Additionally, they have led to successful capacity building campaigns in both countries.

Background project

The ongoing destruction and degradation of tropical forests through expanding agriculture, new infrastructure and fire caused by anthropogenic intervention contributes between 10-20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. REDD + (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is an initiative within the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The carbon bound in forests is hereby assigned a monetary value. The developing countries will be refunded if they avoid emissions resulting from activities destructing the forest or degrading the biodiversity and quality of forests. In order to determine the compensation payments (incentives) and to monitor the reduction commitments of the countries concerned, current and accurate information on the carbon stock and its changes over time for large, tropical forest areas are required.

Issue and needs

Proof of savings of emissions relative to a reference time point (baseline) has to be provided within the framework of concepts defined for REDD + for monitoring carbon storage in the forest. The current solution is to use available archives of optical high to medium resolution satellite data for mapping of the recent and historical status of forests.

However, this faces two problems: First of all the temporal inconsistency of coverage as well as data gaps in tropical regions. Secondly, the mapping of forest degradation requires very high resolution data and sensitivity to changes in forest structure or biomass. Frequent cloud cover in the forest zone of Ghana and Mawas peat swamp forests in Kalimantan make the use of optical imagery difficult in terms of availability and applicability for deforestation and forest degradation mapping on an annual basis.

Proposed solution

TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar imagery offer the capability to penetrate clouds on the one hand and very high resolution (3m) on the other, important factors when mapping complex land use patterns and forest degradation in tropical countries.

The TanDEM-X mission (1) will acquire Earth’s entire land surface several times during its three-year mission. Thus providing an ideal data source for homogeneous and globally consistent, high resolution land cover surveys as a baseline for land use change and forest monitoring.

Up-to date TerraSAR-X imagery acquired in 3 m resolution StripMap mode under the same geometry can be directly compared to TanDEM-X global reference datasets and prove that even small scale selective logging activities, which indicate forest degradation, can be detected.

The use of information derived from single pass interferometry significantly improves the mapping capabilities and this enables to focus on forest changes. The combination of both, TanDEM-X based classification and TanDEM-X versus TerraSAR-X change detection, makes use of the unique characteristics of both missions, providing a powerful tool for the monitoring of tropical forests.

TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X exhibit a unique geo-localization accuracy which is a prerequisite when combining remote sensing data with small scale forest field plots extending a few meters. The combination of remote sensing derived stratification with field plots on the other hand makes quantitative assessments on carbon stock change reliable and affordable.

(1) The aim of the TanDEM-X mission is to acquire the data basis for the global Digital Elevation Model (DEM), WorldDEM™.


Fig 1. Forest Baseline Map , peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan Indonesia)

Industry perspective

Methodology implementation and validation of TanDEM-X reference mapping was performed together with SarVision in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The chosen study site is located in a peat swamp forest which is characterized by drainage from the Mega Rice project which has led to increased fire vulnerability. Emissions from peat swamp forests equal about one quarter of the overall emissions from deforestation and degradation.

The pilot study shows that the TanDEM-X data is very useful to produce accurate land cover mapping, compliant with the 6 land cover categories mandatory for REDD+ MRV as specified by IPCC, and proved to be as accurate as conventional optical mapping results. Beyond basic classes it provides information on canopy cover and forest structure both related to forest biomass. Validation of quantitative forest characteristics with LIDAR measurements showed a good agreement with forest height and canopy cover.

Ghana was chosen as a second pilot case performed within the framework of public private partnership between GIZ1 and Astrium GEO. The goal of the pilot is to test the applicability of methods for the national REDD+ MRV development process including capacity building of relevant institutions involved in later MRV execution.

Forest destruction in Ghana is largely a process of progressive degradation driven by a mix of forces from within and particularly from outside the forest sector. Therefore, the emphasis was laid on the forest change assessment to demonstrate the potential for forest degradation mapping with TerraSAR-X.

Test sites have been distributed in the different eco-zones of Ghana, from the tropical moist South to the semi-arid North.
TerraSAR-X based change detection results confirmed a high level of forest changes in the main forest zone of Ghana. The found cases of deforestation and degradation are representative in terms of drivers such as legal and illegal gold mining, palm oil production and selective logging within forest reserves. The pilot proved that small scale scattered changes can also be detected in TerraSAR-X StripMap mode (3 m) but most reliably in very high resolution SpotLight mode with 1m resolution. Detected changes were validated during a field trip with Ghanaian trainees including staff from the forestry commission.

|||
Fig 2. Gold mining , Ayanfuri, Ghana. Change Detection, TerrraSAR-X High Resolution SpotLight, composite of 2010/2012, Detected deforestation overlaid in red

Cost justification

1. Indonesia, KALIMANTAN: This pilot stands to contribute to the conservation of Bornean orangutans, the endangered apes that live only in Asia, by providing current information on the status of their forest habitats. By mapping and monitoring tropical forests using remote sensing data from the TanDEM-X mission, it can assess the status of tropical forests and detect forest degradation and loss. Using space-borne SAR data allows accessing remote areas within Borneo’s swamp forests in a timely manner and the assessment of the status of forests over large areas after, for example, fire events.

2. Africa, GHANA: Given the level of forest degradation in Ghana in combination with the complexity of land use patterns and the dynamic nature of drivers of deforestation, it is proposed to use very high resolution imagery from TanDEM-X for reference mapping and TerraSAR-X for the subsequent monitoring of deforestation and forest degradation.
The proposed resolution offers better identification of features, change boundaries, drivers of change, and maps areas of forest degradation more accurately, than would be achieved with high resolution imagery such as Landsat.

Return of investment

1. Indonesia, KALIMANTAN: This project will also strengthen local capacity: field work will be performed in collaboration with BOS-Mawas staff and local field assistants so the project will contribute to the training and transfer of field knowledge for Indonesians.

2. Africa, GHANA: The image to image change detection approach using TanDEM-X global archive as reference gives information on forest degradation at an early stage and therefore allows mitigation actions. Training on the job and verification of methodology was performed by Ghanaian users and led to recommendations of technology to the forestry commission of Ghana for REDD+ MRV implementation. Further validation and detailed cost benefit analysis will be performed in REDD pilot sites.

Additional Information

  • User/Customer: Africa, Ghana: Forestry Commission of Ghana and the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services at the University of Ghana (CERSGIS). Indonesia, Kalimantan: Borneo Orang-utan Survival (BOS) Foundation
  • Location: 2012 Ghana
  • Location: 2012 Kalimantan, Indonesia
  • EO service: Monitor forest resources
  • Key words: REDD+ MRV, forest monitoring, change detection, carbon monitoring, climate change, deforestation, degradation, forest classification, biomass, canopy cover, forest structure, LULUCF, Land Use, land-use change & Forestry, TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, Germany 2012

SPOT 6, the high-resolution satellite built and operated by Astrium, has been chosen by IGN France International (IGN FI) to update basemaps of Mali. IGM, Mali’s national survey and mapping agency, will be receiving the most recent detailed data at a resolution of 1.5 metres from SPOT 6, which has covered the country’s entire 1 241 000 km². in less than 5 months.

Toulouse, France – 11 April 2013. In October 2012, IGN France International (IGN FI), the subsidiary of IGN, France’s national survey and mapping agency, won a bid to revise 1:200 000 topographic maps of Mali and support IGM’s modernization effort.

Starting in November 2012, Astrium Services kicked off a campaign—before the satellite had even completed in-orbit checkout—to acquire SPOT 6 imagery of the whole of Mali during the dry season, thus avoiding the period of sandstorms in the desert and Sahel regions, as well as the cloud cover of the rainy season.

In less than 5 months, north-south strips up to 600 km long were acquired to obtain cloud-free coverage of Mali’s 1 241 000 km². These acquisitions are the most recent, uniform dataset of the country and provide the sharp detail required to interpret its not-very-contrasting landscapes.
In March this year, IGN FI chose Astrium Services’ SPOT 6 satellite as its main source of photo-interpretation data to revise Mali’s maps. SPOT 6’s responsiveness, image detail and rapid acquisition of the entire country are what swayed the decision for IGN FI, which will be leading this project scheduled to last 4 years.

Maps will be produced in Mali under a technology transfer and training agreement to generate a full orthoimage of the country, cut into 138 topographic maps at a scale of 1:200 000 and distributed via a web portal. The programme has got off to a fast start, with a first batch of images already delivered to cartographers in Bamako.

With this first national mosaic contract, the SPOT 6 satellite is proving its unrivalled performance at this level of accuracy. Its agile systems and optimized response to weather forecasts enabled this vast territory to be covered in record time, while assuring a very high standard of image quality. SPOT 6 will be joined early in 2014 by its twin SPOT 7. With SPOT 6 and SPOT 7 operated as a constellation by Astrium Services, the time taken to cover large areas will be reduced by half. Through its GEO-Information business, Astrium Services is recognized as one of the leaders in the geo-spatial information market, not least thanks to the now fully integrated skills and resources of the former Spot Image and Infoterra. The company provides decision-makers with complete solutions enabling them to increase security, boost agricultural performance, maximize oil & gas or mining operations, improve their management of natural resources, and protect the environment. It has exclusive access to data from the SPOT, TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X and Pléiades satellites, coupled with a complete range of space-based data sources and airborne acquisition capability allowing it to offer an unrivalled scope of Earth observation products and services. Bamako by SPOT 6

This extensive portfolio covers the entire geo-information supply chain, from the generation of images to the provision of high added-value information to end-users.

More information about SPOT 6 and SPOT 7

By leveraging the synergies and expertise available across the whole of Astrium Services, its GEO-Information teams develop innovative, yet competitive, custom-made solutions based on the combination and integration of Earth observation, navigation and high-end telecommunications.

Astrium Services
5 rue des Satellites, BP 14359
F-31030 Toulouse Cedex 4 – France
Tel: +33 (0) 5 62 19 41 19 | Fax: +33 (0) 5 62 19 42 54 | Mobile: +33 (0) 6 76 08 39 72
fabienne.grazzini@astrium.eads.net

GAF provides state-of-the-art earth observation resources to create baseline data that supports compliance monitoring and supervision of the mine development activities at Aynak – one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits, located in the Logar province about 35 km south of Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan awarded a contract for the construction and operation of a mine on the Aynak deposit in June 2008. The mine has the potential to play an important role in Afghanistan’s future, creating jobs, generating taxes and royalties to the Government, and bringing much needed infrastructure investment, thereby helping to fight poverty and terrorism. Delays in the development of the mine have already occurred due to security concerns, land mine clearing and the discovery of archaeological remains.

To ensure contract compliance and the sustainability of the development, it is critical to put in place a system for monitoring adherence to mining standards as well as environmental, social, technical and financial compliance with international best practices and Afghan laws and customs. This requires the use of accurate baseline information combined with suitable training and know-how transfer.

To this end, GAF has provided satellite image data with a resolution of 0.5 metres, as well as stereo satellite data, in order to generate a baseline data set comprising topographic image maps, a digital elevation model and 3d visualisations depicting the situation in 2012. The data set covers the area of the future mine, with its planned open pit and underground operations, waste dump, processing plant and tailings ponds. The total area of 56 sqkm is covered by 12 map sheets with a scale of 1:2500 and attributes stored in a GIS- compatible dataset. GAF has also demonstrated the potential of COSMO- SkyMed all weather and cloud penetrating radar data for multitemporal coherence (MTC) mapping: two SAR images of the same area – captured at different moments in time – recording subtle changes on the land surface. In appropriate conditions, earth movements, intrusions and also smuggling routes can be detected.
The earth observation (EO) data will help the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum to check the consistency and compatibility of the mining company’s plans and to monitor progress. At the same time the maps provide a valuable source of information that allows mining and civil engineers, mines inspectors, surveyors and environmental experts to give advice and guidance to the mining company. The data set will also form an important asset to allow the detection and monitoring of future changes in the environment, land use, land cover and infrastructure.

The provision of the EO information and associated analysis is embedded in a comprehensive capacity building project, in which GAF provides consultancy services to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MOMP), specifically its dedicated Aynak Copper Project Authority (ACPA), as well as to the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). The services encompass technical and legal advice, training and know-how transfer and the organisation of mines study trips to South Africa and Zambia. GAF provides expertise in mining engineering, geology and resource estimation, as well as with regard to environmental, social and health and safety and legal issues.

The activities are funded by the World Bank, International Development Association, in the framework of the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Programme – SDNRP. GAF’s activities in this project started in 2011 and are scheduled to conclude in 2013.

About GAF AG – Germany (www.gaf.de)

GAF provides expert consultancy services in the mining governance sector, ranging from the implementation of computerised mining cadastre systems, title registries, and geological and mining information systems to the provision of capacity building and know-how. GAF, an e-GEOS, Telespazio company, is globally active and has an international reputation as an experienced provider of services in the fields of geo-information, satellite remote sensing, spatial IT- consultancy and institutional strengthening for private and public clients. GAF offers solutions in the sectors of mining and geology, natural resources, water and environment, security, land and renewable resources. Over the past 27 years, GAF has been active in more than 100 countries throughout Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.

Contact:
Arnulfstr. 197, 80634 Munich, Germany,
Tel.: +49 (0)89 121528-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 121528-79
Email: info@gaf.de
www.gaf.de

(March 2013)

TRE is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the contract to provide JOGMEC with a historical ground movement analysis using InSAR technology to identify surface deformation caused by oil production activities.

This is the first project TRE will carry out for JOGMEC, which has a longstanding commitment to risk prevention and performance maintenance, exploring among innovative solutions and advanced technologies.

About JOGMEC

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) was established on 29th February 2004, for integrating the functions of the former Japan National Oil Corporation and Metal Mining Agency of Japan.

JOGMEC’s activities include financial assistance, technology development and technical support, stockpiling, mine pollution control and overseas field surveys.

For more information

About TRE

Tele-Rilevamento Europa (TRE) is the world leader in ground deformation monitoring services with InSAR technology.

Founded in 2000, TRE is the first of a number of successful spin-off companies from the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) technical University.

TRE measures ground deformation to millimetre accuracy by analysing SAR (Synthetic Aperture radar) satellite images with its latest algorithm: SqueeSAR™ – a unique tool for detecting, measuring and monitoring geophysical phenomena such as: subsidence, uplift, landslides, seismic faults, etc. and verifying the stability of individual structures. Maps of surface deformation provide a quantitative understanding of ground response to both natural and anthropogenic activities.

TRE’s has two offices: Milan and Vancouver.

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The Remote Sensing Days conference (Fjärranalysdagarna) is taking place at the Solna Summit venue in Solna, Sweden, on 9th and 10th April 2013.

The Remote Sensing Days conference (Fjärranalysdagarna) is taking place at the Solna Summit venue in Solna, Sweden, on 9th and 10th April 2013. Spacemetric has been invited to make a presentation on the data repository, processing and dissemination solution the company is developing for the European Space Agency (ESA) for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, launched on 11th February from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The Remote Sensing Days conference is being co-arranged by the Swedish National Space Board the Swedish cadastre, mapping & registry authority, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, the Swedish Forest Agency, Swedish Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.

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