Mining in Motion: Satellite-Based Analysis of Changes in Open-Pit Mining Activities in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, China

The global mining sector is evolving rapidly, making it increasingly important to monitor its activities and associated emissions in support of sustainable development. In this paper, we use nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions derived from satellite observations as an indicator of mining activity. Altogether, we characterize changes in nine open-pit mining sites in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, China. The analyzed mines represent a range of minerals, including copper, rare earths, coal, and gold. When available, we relate the satellite-based NOx emission estimates to reported production data and discuss each mining site individually. Overall, the satellite-derived emissions capture the major temporal changes in mining activity indicated by production data and satellite imagery. One notable finding is the substantial increase in NOx emissions from the Mongolian Tavan Tolgoi and Nariin Sukhait/Ovoot Tolgoi coal mines after 2022, coinciding with increased coal production, of which up to 95% is exported to China. More broadly, the results demonstrate that mining activity can be tracked using open-access satellite observations, particularly in regions where other sources of information are limited. As an example, this approach could support systematic monitoring of future electrification in open-pit mining operations.