Application of Space–Sky–Earth Integration Technology with UAVs in Risk Identification of Tailings Ponds

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tilt photography technology has gradually become a new technical means of disaster risk identification. This technology combines UAVs, satellite remote sensing, and ground online monitoring systems to establish an integrated space–sky–Earth system that can be used for tailings pond risk identification. With the use of this system for visual interpretation, water body identification, and monitoring data analysis, multiple types of monitoring parameters of a typical tailings pond in China, such as the seepage line and surface deformation, were obtained. Moreover, intelligent fusion analysis was performed of multisource data to outline the problems affecting tailings safety in the process of elevation expansion and irregular ore discharge of the tailings pond. Warning values of different levels were obtained to assess the overall safety condition of the tailings pond, and the proposed technology was verified. The research results could provide a new basis for accurate evaluation of the running state of tailings ponds and offer an effective remote monitoring means for tailings pond enterprises and supervisory departments.