Real-Time Monitoring of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Operations Using Android Mobile GIS Apps and GPS Receiver: Focus on Dem, Bote and Dimako I Mining Sites (Batouri Gold District, Eastern Cameroon)

Abstract

The concept of "sustainable mining" is also based on the requirement for rigorous monitoring of mining operations, in order to prevent abuses that can be exerted on the environment or the loss of income that can be recorded by the administrations of the countries owning the mines, either due to non-compliance by mining operators with the clauses of mining permits or because of the complacency of state agents in charge of mines. Android mobile GIS applications (AMGISA) with integrated GPS are a high-precision navigation, control, monitoring and terrestrial positioning system. This portable mapping and localized imaging system allows in real time addition of spatial information on the position of observation points, descriptions in the attribute table, collecting waypoints, tracks and taking geotagged photos, as well as capturing screenshots of said maps or images available on its interface. The interface is very dynamic, facilitating data collection via internet connection and their transfer to another workstation for offline processing version and submission of results to decision-makers. The automatic monitoring tests initiated with this technology in the Batouri gold district in the small mines of Dem, Bote and Dimako I have successfully enabled the control and monitoring of mining operations both in the exploration phase and in the exploitation phase. AMGISA and GPS thus constitute a viable alternative capable of being deployed in mining environments and meeting the requirements related to the control and monitoring of mining operations, especially in open-pit mines and particularly for countries located in forested or rugged or remote regions.