The use of SAR technology, with its weather-independence, broad coverage, and available wavelength combinations, allows for higher temporal resolution and improved vessel detection in the monitoring of small-scale mining (SSM) dredges.

Detailing a method for mapping and monitoring riverine diamond and gold dredge mining is an important step in keeping up with evolving technologies and new areas of mineral exploitation and in helping address concerns over resource governance in remote and conflict-prone terrain. Where the oil is solidified, environmental clamshell dredges have been used. The number of active dredges identified on the river increased over the five years studied, with the largest increase occurring between 20. The mining dredger delivers its slurry to a floating treatment. Riverine vessels are identified in Sentinel-1 SAR data between 20, and their activity levels are mapped over time. This study implements a remote sensing analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to map gold and diamond dredges operating on the Kadéï (Sangha) river in the CAR. The recent introduction of riverine dredges indicates a transition from artisanal/manual digging and sorting techniques to small-scale mining methods. Diamond and gold mining has been practiced by artisanal miners in the Central African Republic (CAR) for decades.

Mining dredges