Executive Summary

This case study is an illustrative example of how satellite imagery from a variety of archives can be gathered and processed to provide historical survey data.

On September 11, 2022, the tailings storage facility (TSF) at the Jagersfontein Tailings Dam suffered a structural failure. The resulting outflow led to significant damage to local infrastructure and resulted in multiple injuries and deaths.

Using available archive imagery dating back to 1977, this case study was independently produced by PhotoSat following the dam failure at Jagersfontein. No site visit was required to produce this study.

Preliminary results from this study show that approximately 5,040,000 cubic meters of material was released.

Download the report to see results.

about photosat

Based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, PhotoSat was founded to provide better data for better decisions.

PhotoSat uses proprietary deep learning algorithms to produce elevation surveys and alteration mineral maps from satellite imagery.
Our methods are fast, safe, and reliable, with no need for ground access.
Since 2005, we have delivered more than 1300 mine site surveys and over 300 alteration projects in over 75 countries.

learn more

Preliminary Survey Report

Dam Collapse at Jagersfontein Tailings Facility

Executive Summary

about photosat