Open Access

The evolving hyperspectral sensors have become a big ally for a large range of applications in remote sensing for the monitoring of a variety of earth ecosystems and processes (natural and anthropogenic). The processes occurring within the mining life cycle are not an exception. Hyperspectral sensors have been widely used in a large number of applications ranging from exploration, operation and post-mining. In this work, the authors explore particularly the use of hyperspectral methods to contribute to the monitoring of one of the most important environmental phenomena that many mining operations might face: acid mine drainage (AMD). Failure of accurately monitoring and remediation of such complex, leads to long-term impacts on ecosystems and human health, in addition to significant financial consequences and reputational damage to operators. Hyperspectral imagery represents one solution to enhance the quality of classical geochemical analyses in post mining-related contaminated scenarios, which can increase the overall accuracy of the monitoring, allowing frequent and multi-temporal observations to detect risk areas and take fast corrective actions.