Eye in the Sky: Satellite Surveillance Detects Illegal Mining Across 15 Gujarat Districts
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Space-based monitoring and drone surveillance generated 85 alerts in Gujarat over five years, leading to the detection of five confirmed cases of illegal mining after ground verification by state authorities.
Modern satellite technology and aerial surveillance have helped authorities detect illegal mining activities across Gujarat, with official data showing that five instances of unauthorized mining were confirmed between FY 2021-22 and FY 2025-26.
According to data submitted by the Ministry of Mines, the space-based Mining Surveillance System (MSS) generated 85 alerts across the state during the five-year period. Following field inspections by district authorities, 63 alerts were verified, resulting in the confirmation of five cases of illegal mining.
85 alerts generated, five violations confirmed
The surveillance programme currently covers 15 mineral-rich districts in Gujarat.
The monitored districts include Amreli, Aravali, Banaskantha, Bhavnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kheda, Kutch, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat and Vadodara.
15 Gujarat districts under satellite watch
The Ministry of Mines said it uses a combination of satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones and the Mine Imagery Data Processing & Analysis System (MIDPAS) to monitor mining activities and identify possible violations.
Under Rules 34 and 34A of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017, mine leaseholders operating large mines—covering 50 hectares or more or extracting at least one million tonnes annually—must carry out annual drone surveys. They are required to upload digital outputs, including Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and orthomosaic images, to the online Drone Data Management System by July 1 every year.
Operators of smaller mines are required to submit high-resolution geo-referenced satellite imagery instead.
Drones and GIS strengthen enforcement
The Ministry said the Mining Surveillance System automatically detects suspected mining activities outside approved lease boundaries and sends alerts to district authorities for on-ground verification, enabling faster action against unauthorized mineral extraction.
