SORA Technology Launches Integrated Mining DX and Disaster Risk Management Demonstration Project at a Remote Copper Mine in Papua New Guinea
SORA Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan; Founder & CEO: Yosuke Kaneko; hereafter “SORA Technology”), which provides advanced drone and AI solutions across public health, agriculture, and climate resilience, has been selected for “Pacific DIVE,” a co-creation program with Japanese startups implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Through this program, SORA Technology will launch a demonstration project titled “Integrated Mining DX and Disaster Risk Management Demonstration Project for a Remote Open-Pit Mine Using Satellite Data, Multi-Scale Drones, and AI Analytics” (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”) at a remote open-pit copper mine in Papua New Guinea.
The Project aims to develop and validate a system for the rapid and continuous monitoring of disaster and environmental risks at large-scale mines in remote locations by combining wide-area monitoring using satellite data with high-precision, site-specific measurements using drones, supported by AI-powered analytics.
AI-generated illustration of the Integrated Mining DX and Disaster Risk Management
Demonstration Project at a Remote Open-Pit Mine
Background
In Papua New Guinea, many mines are located in mountainous regions and upstream river basins far from the capital, Port Moresby. In these remote areas, conducting timely on-site surveys by specialists is challenging, and ground-based monitoring alone has limitations in comprehensively and continuously assessing conditions across vast open-pit mining sites.
In addition, mining operations must monitor a wide range of risks, including slope failures, tailings spills, deforestation, and changes in water source conditions. For mines that rely on river barges to transport mineral concentrates, fluctuations in river water levels can also affect operations. As local communities live along these river systems, disaster risk management and environmental monitoring are essential not only within mining sites but also in surrounding areas.
To address these challenges, SORA Technology will evaluate the feasibility of an integrated Mining DX and disaster risk management solution that combines satellite data, multiple drone technologies, and AI-powered image analysis to enable comprehensive, high-precision monitoring of large-scale mines in remote locations.
Key Features of the Project
SORA Technology will apply its proprietary AI-powered image analysis technology, developed through its work in malaria control and other fields, to the mining sector. Satellite data will be used for wide-area monitoring, while drones will provide high-precision measurements of targeted locations. By analyzing the vast amounts of geospatial data obtained through these technologies using AI, the Project aims to develop a system that enables rapid risk detection and assessment without relying solely on manual processes.
The Project will primarily evaluate the effectiveness of these technologies in the following areas.
1. Ground Deformation Monitoring of Tailings Dams and Slopes
The Project will evaluate a method for continuously monitoring changes in tailings dams and surrounding slopes by combining surface displacement measurements using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data with high-precision 3D measurements using VTOL drones equipped with LiDAR sensors.
2. Monitoring and Prediction of River Water Levels and Flooding
The Project will evaluate a method for monitoring and predicting changes in river water levels and flood extent through the analysis of time-series satellite data. This approach aims to enable early detection of water level fluctuations that may affect the transportation of mineral concentrates by river barges, supporting operational risk management.
3. Detection of Changes in Forests and Water Source Environments
The Project will leverage SORA Technology’s change detection technology using optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data, which has already been deployed in real-world applications, to continuously monitor changes in forests and water source environments across wide areas. This approach aims to enable early detection of deforestation and abnormalities in water source environments, supporting the identification and assessment of environmental risks.
4. Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning for Mining Sites and Surrounding Communities
The Project will evaluate a system that complements existing monitoring networks by using AI to analyze data collected from satellites, drones, and other sources to detect anomalies and changes in areas surrounding mining sites and along river basins. This approach aims to support continuous disaster risk monitoring and early warning in remote areas.
Future Outlook
Through the Project, SORA Technology will evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated Mining DX and disaster risk management approach that combines satellite data, multi-scale drones, and AI analytics. Looking ahead, SORA Technology will also explore the potential to apply the knowledge and expertise gained in drone operations through this Project to the transportation of medical supplies and other essential goods in remote areas, with the aim of improving access for communities surrounding mining sites.
Company Profile
Company Name: SORA Technology Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: 2-14-1 Nagono, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Representative: Yosuke Kaneko (Founder & CEO)
Established: 2020
Business: Development and provision of drone- and AI-powered technologies for infectious disease control, agricultural support, and climate adaptation.
Mission: SORA Technology is committed to the mission of “Transforming lives from the sky (SORA).” By leveraging advanced drone and AI technologies, the company aims to help build safe and prosperous societies anywhere in the world. Centered in Africa and other developing regions, SORA provides a wide range of services, from infectious disease surveillance and control to agricultural productivity enhancement and climate adaptation support.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sora-technology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sora.technology/
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