Post-mining ground stability monitoring of the abandoned Amiantos asbestos mine in Cyprus using satellite remote sensing data

Authors: Perdikou, S; Maurya, V; Nela, BR; Lees, A Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_74

Cite As:
Perdikou, S, Maurya, V, Nela, BR & Lees, A 2025, 'Post-mining ground stability monitoring of the abandoned Amiantos asbestos mine in Cyprus using satellite remote sensing data', in S Knutsson, AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2025: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_74



Abstract:
Remote sensing techniques are invaluable for identifying potential mineralisation zones, monitoring active mining operations, and assessing safety conditions around closed and abandoned mines. This study focuses on the Amiantos open pit asbestos mine in Cyprus, which was operational from the early 20th century until 1988, with the mining lease formally concluding in 1992. Despite rehabilitation efforts initiated by the Cypriot government post-closure, abandoned mines continue to pose risks such as ground deformation, slope instability, and groundwater contamination. The primary objective of this research is to assess ground stability and analyse both vertical and horizontal ground displacement in the Amiantos mine area using multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (MT-InSAR) techniques. MT-InSAR enables millimetre-scale detection of surface deformation, providing crucial insights into post-mining land stability and associated hazards. The study also evaluates potential risks to nearby local communities, particularly the Kato Amiantos village. The analysis is based on Sentinel-1A C-band SAR data acquired from January 2020 to December 2024. Using the small baseline subset (SBAS) MT-InSAR approach, significant ground movements were detected, primarily in the western portion of the mine area with some points exhibiting horizontal (eastward) displacements up to 200 mm over the five-year period. In many locations, horizontal displacements are more pronounced than the vertical, suggesting subsurface instability potentially linked to backfilled material from earlier mining activities. The findings highlight the critical need for continuous, long-term monitoring using satellite-based observations, even after mining activities have ceased. The results underscore the importance of remote sensing in guiding risk mitigation strategies for nearby communities and infrastructure.

Keywords: Amiantos asbestos mine, MT-InSAR, SBAS, ground stability

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