When observation turns into assurance: Using satellite intelligence to strengthen tailings governance.

Meeting the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is no longer a tick-box exercise in modern mining; it’s a matter of credibility, safety and stewardship. IOTDC’s Sentinel platform, developed in partnership with the European Space Agency, delivers advanced satellite analytics and IOT-enabled monitoring that bring unprecedented visibility and assurance to tailings management. 

  • IOTDC
  • November 14, 2025
  • 1:04 pm
  • 0 comments

Managing risk with eyes in the sky

Every tailings storage facility (TSF) has a zone of influence: the geographic area that would be affected should a dam breach or structural failure occur.


IOTDC harnesses satellite capabilities to monitor these zones, measuring moisture detection, displacements, vegetation around the dam – all measurable indicators that help highlight problems. The system uses predictive AI to assess potential risks, which then allow users to react proactively.

As the August 2025 deadline for full GISTM conformance arrives, IOTDC’s Sentinel offers a practical, scalable route to compliance. By uniting satellite analytics, IOT integration and predictive modelling, Sentinel enables:

  • Continuous, independent monitoring across all facilities.
  • Automated, audit-ready reporting.
  • Data-driven, targeted manual inspections.
  • Expanded confidence zones supported by verifiable evidence.

With IOTDC, mining operators move from reactive management to predictive governance; ensuring safer operations, resilient infrastructure and a sustainable future for the industry.

Read More