Detection and Monitoring of Small-Scale Diamond and Gold Mining Dredges Using Synthetic Aperture Radar on the Kadéï (Sangha) River, Central African Republic

Diamond and gold mining has been practiced by artisanal miners in the Central African Republic (CAR) for decades. The recent introduction of riverine dredges indicates a transition from artisanal/manual digging sorting techniques to small-scale methods. This study implements remote sensing analysis Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data map diamond operating on Kadéï (Sangha) river CAR. Riverine vessels are identified Sentinel-1 SAR between 2015 2019, their activity levels mapped over time. number active increased five years studied, with largest increase occurring 2016 2017. Detailing method mapping monitoring dredge is an important step keeping up evolving technologies new areas mineral exploitation helping address concerns resource governance conflict-prone terrain. use technology, its weather-independence, broad coverage, available wavelength combinations, allows higher temporal resolution improved vessel detection (SSM) dredges.