Global mining footprint mapped from high-resolution satellite imagery

Abstract Mining is of major economic, environmental and societal consequence, yet knowledge understanding its global footprint still limited. Here, we produce a mining land use dataset via remote sensing analysis high-resolution, publicly available satellite imagery. The comprises 74,548 polygons, covering ~66,000 km 2 features like waste rock dumps, pits, water ponds, tailings dams, heap leach pads processing/milling infrastructure. Our polygons finely contour the edges mine do not include space between them. This distinguishes our from others that employ broader definitions lands. Hence, despite database being largest to date by number comparisons show relatively lower use. made freely support future studies impacts. A series spatial analyses are also presented highlight distribution patterns risks.