Use of Global Positioning System in mine landscaping and visual impact assesment: a case study

The satellite based GPS tool needs a clear view of sky for determining a geodetic position and hence it is particularly suitable in overall projects of open-pit recovery and landscape restoration. The purpose of such measurements is to make highly accurate topographical maps thus forming the backbone of a project. In the work presented here geodetic measurements are combined with advanced visualization techniques and GIS applications in a possible recovery plan of the abandoned excavations of Bonucoro in the mining district of Orani, central Sardinia. On the base of the naturalistic and geographical contexts of the mining area and its surroundings, a few proposals concerning the re-utilisation of these excavations are here presented. The preparatory work consisted in the characterisation of the area under study through a topographic survey then a geodetic control network was established by the use of GPS technique to describe the morphologic features of the landscape and for the subsequent three dimensional analysis and geoprocessing by commercial GIS/CAD software. The final step is represented by the use of VUEInfinite that is capable to integrate graphical data with geological and morphological attributes enabling the creation of virtual 3D environments thus giving an imagination of a present, past or future landscape development also allowing for visual impact assessments.