Earth Remote Sensing at D. Serikbayev EKTU: From Satellite to Digital Map

Earth remote sensing today holds a special place in the system of modern scientific and applied research, forming the basis for space monitoring of the planet. For Kazakhstan as a whole and the East Kazakhstan region in particular, this technology acquires strategic importance, as it allows working with spatially complex, environmentally sensitive, and resource-rich territories. Mountain systems, forests, agricultural lands, water bodies, and natural risk zones form a unique natural mosaic here, requiring continuous monitoring and rapid response. Under these conditions, ERS becomes a universal tool that makes it possible to record changes in the Earth’s surface dynamically and formulate scientifically grounded decisions based on objective data.

D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University occupies a key position in the development of this direction, forming a sustainable interdisciplinary scientific school that combines geoinformation technologies, geology, geomechanics, aerospace methods, and machine learning.

At D. Serikbayev EKTU, Earth remote sensing is viewed as an integrative platform linking satellite observation data, field research results, and digital modeling of natural processes. Thanks to this, we have the opportunity to record the state of the environment, identify patterns of its change, forecast risks, and form the basis for strategic land management.

The central element of the university’s scientific infrastructure is the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Remote Earth Sensing Methods. This is a modern platform that combines scientific research in geodesy, cartography, land management, and geoinformation technologies.

Its activities are aimed at developing and implementing geoinformation support for geological exploration works based on ERS data, creating digital models of natural and man-made deposits of rare metals, as well as processing space and unmanned aerial photography data.

The laboratory’s scientific activities are conducted by leading scientists of the university: Associate Professor, PhD M. E. Rakhymberdina; Professor, Candidate of Technical Sciences B. Apshikur; Associate Professor, PhD M. M. Toguzova; as well as young researchers: A. K. Kapasov, E. K. Bekishev, Zh. A. Asylkhanova, and A. A. Kutubayeva.

The laboratory creates thematic maps, builds geological databases, develops scientifically grounded methods for interpreting remote observations, and monitors natural processes and territory conditions.

Special attention is paid to creating a multi-level GIS database of rare metal objects, which is of strategic importance in the context of developing the country’s mineral resource potential. The laboratory is interdisciplinary in nature, bringing together specialists in geodesy, geology, mining, and aerospace technologies. This ensures the comprehensive nature of scientific research and its high practical significance.

Since 2021, the laboratory has implemented a number of significant scientific projects.

Among them:

– development of scientific and methodological approaches to implementing Earth remote sensing technologies for improving agricultural management;

– creation of geoinformation solutions for a "smart" agro-industrial complex;

– assessment of the state of the Irtysh River basin water ecosystem under conditions of industrial development and global changes;

– study of avalanche activity in the East Kazakhstan region;

– development of technologies for the sustainable development of the region’s mining and metallurgical industry.

These projects demonstrate the broad practical focus of ERS, covering both ecological and economic spheres.

"Today, science can no longer exist solely within laboratories and theoretical research. The main goal of our projects is to create practical solutions capable of bringing real benefits to the economy, ecology, and society. In addition, they are aimed at supporting the sustainable development of the region's mining and metallurgical industry. Modern geoinformation and remote sensing technologies help optimize subsoil use, environmental monitoring, and industrial planning.

We are convinced that the integration of science, digital technologies, and addressing regional tasks forms the basis for sustainable development and the training of a new generation of specialists," notes Marzhan Rakhymberdina, head of the research team.

Agriculture in the region is actively getting involved in using remote sensing data, where technologies allow moving from generalized assessments to point-by-point analysis of crop conditions, identification of water and temperature stress zones, and yield forecasting.

Thus, ERS becomes a tool for precision farming, which is especially relevant for regions with variable climatic conditions.

A separate strategic area is the application of ERS in geology and mineral exploration. In modern conditions, geological exploration is transforming into a digital science based on processing large datasets and using machine learning algorithms. The 2023 State-of-the-Nation Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan emphasizes the need to digitize geological research and introduce modern technologies to increase the efficiency of subsoil use. In this context, satellite data becomes the basis for identifying promising areas and optimizing geological exploration work.

Вот перевод следующего фрагмента статьи (от фотографии, где идет речь о редких металлах, до следующей фотографии) с сохранением структуры, жирного начертания, правил пунктуации (дефисы / средние тире с пробелами) и выделенной цитатой-врезкой:

Special attention is paid to rare earth metals, which are today viewed as the "oil of the new era." These elements are the foundation of high-tech industries – energy, electronics, digital infrastructure, and the defense industry.

For example, at present, man-made mineral formations and tailings of East Kazakhstan are of scientific interest, in which, according to the results of laboratory studies, an increased content of elementary and rare elements was found. The obtained data confirm the possibility of comprehensive development of man-made mineral raw materials and re-processing of mining and metallurgical complex waste using modern geochemical, geoinformation, and digital technologies.

When assessing man-made mineral formations (MMFs) and tailings in East Kazakhstan, the integrated use of Earth remote sensing methods and geographic information systems provides effective identification of local areas with anomalous geochemical characteristics and an increased concentration of valuable components. The obtained results prove the high prospects of the synergistic application of ERS data, GIS technologies, and mathematical modeling for inventorying, rapid assessment, and substantiation of re-involving man-made raw materials into industrial processing.

Kazakhstan has significant potential in this field, making the development of ERS methods and machine learning a critically important area of scientific research.

EKTU forms an interdisciplinary approach here, combining geophysics, geochemistry, GIS technologies, and computer data analysis methods, which makes it possible to identify structural and mineralogical features of the subsoil and form predictive models of deposits.

A significant role in the development of the university’s scientific infrastructure is played by the Laboratory of Rock Physics and Processes, created within the framework of the mega-grant "Development and implementation of competitive scientifically grounded technologies to ensure sustainable development of the mining and metallurgical industry of the East Kazakhstan region." The purpose of the laboratory is the development and implementation of methods for studying the physical-mechanical and deformation properties of rocks to increase the stability and safety of mining operations and structures.

Вот перевод следующего фрагмента статьи (от фотографии с лабораторным оборудованием до следующего изображения) с сохранением абзацев, дефисов / средних тире и с выделенной врезкой:

The laboratory carries out: – development of sample preparation methods for rock soils; – research of strength, deformation, and elastic characteristics of rocks; – modeling of the stress-strain state of massifs; – study of fracturing and fracture processes; – implementation of automated testing systems.

It uses modern sample preparation equipment, including a core drilling machine, a cutting machine, and an end-grinding machine, which ensure sample preparation for high-precision testing.

A key element of the laboratory is the RTR-2500 automated servohydraulic system, which allows testing for uniaxial and triaxial compression, hydraulic fracturing, as well as modeling geomechanical processes at temperatures up to +150°C and loads up to 2500 kN.

In the course of research, the strength, elastic, and deformation characteristics of rocks are determined, forming a unique experimental database on geological objects of East Kazakhstan.

Scientific research in the laboratory is conducted by an interdisciplinary team of scientists: Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the School of Earth Sciences T. M. Kumykova; Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor G. T. Nurshayikova; PhD A. T. Akylbayeva; Master of Mining T. M. Malgazhdarov; researchers A. S. Urkunbay and E. D. Dauletkhanov. Under their leadership, research is being implemented on the experimental study of rock properties, modeling complex stress-strain states, analyzing fracture and crack formation processes, digital modeling of geomechanical processes, and forecasting the stability of mine workings.

Research results include the creation of an experimental database of East Kazakhstan rocks, the development of refined models of rock behavior considering anisotropy and nonlinearity, the identification of fracture patterns, the formation of digital models of rock massifs, and the development of stability forecasting methods. An important area is the automation of testing and the creation of digital rock passports, which increases the accuracy and reproducibility of scientific results.

The practical significance of these studies lies in the possibility of their application in the design and operation of mining facilities. The developed digital geomechanical models make it possible to forecast the behavior of rock massifs during underground mining of deposits, identify potentially dangerous deformation zones in a timely manner, and reduce the risks of emergency situations. The obtained data can be used when selecting optimal parameters for supporting mine workings, planning drilling and blasting operations, and increasing the safety of mining operations in complex geological conditions. In addition, the created digital rock passports form the basis for introducing intelligent monitoring systems and elements of a "digital mine" at enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex.

An additional element of the university's scientific ecosystem is the VERITAS Center of Excellence – a modern scientific and industrial complex focused on the development and implementation of high-tech solutions for the mining and metallurgical industry. The Center brings together the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Remote Earth Sensing Methods, the Laboratory of Rock Physics and Processes, and the Laboratory of Analytical Research, providing a comprehensive approach to the study of mineral and man-made raw materials – from remote sensing and geophysical analysis to high-precision laboratory research and geomechanical modeling.

As part of VERITAS activities: – processing of space imagery and Earth remote sensing data is carried out; – digital models of deposits of rare and strategically important metals are created; – aerial photography operations are performed using unmanned aerial vehicles; – digital maps and specialized databases are formed, including geochemical, tectonic, and structural characteristics of objects; – a scientifically grounded method for interpreting ERS data has been developed, which has demonstrated high efficiency in identifying promising areas in the East Kazakhstan region.

Integration of ERS data and geomechanical research results allows moving from disjointed observations to creating comprehensive digital models of the subsoil and territories.

A special place in the structure of the center is occupied by the Laboratory of Analytical Research, equipped with modern scientific equipment for performing a wide range of R&D and laboratory-analytical research. On its basis, research is conducted using modern methods of analytical diagnostics, including transmission and scanning electron microscopy with micro- and nanoanalysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, as well as X-ray fluorescence, spectrophotometric, and colorimetric studies.

Вот перевод заключительной части статьи до конца, включая авторов и казахскую аннотацию:

This forms a new scientific paradigm based on a systemic understanding of natural processes, increasing forecasting accuracy, and reducing risks in the industrial and environmental spheres.

VERITAS scientists also conduct physical and chemical research and develop technology for the hydrometallurgical breakdown of beryllium and lithium mineral raw materials. The ongoing research is aimed at increasing the efficiency of extracting valuable components from complex mineral raw materials and creating scientifically grounded technological solutions for processing rare and strategically important metals.

The high scientific potential of the center is provided by a team of recognized researchers and young specialists working at the intersection of fundamental science and applied technologies. The head of the center is a young scientist, PhD, Associate Professor E. A. Kozhakhmetov.

Thus, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University forms a unique scientific ecosystem in which Earth remote sensing becomes a key element of interdisciplinary research. Combining laboratories, scientific schools, and the VERITAS center ensures the integration of fundamental science, digital technologies, and engineering solutions, creating the basis for sustainable development of the region and the formation of the scientific and technological potential of the future.

Marzhan RAKHYMBERDINA,

PhD, Associate Professor, Dean of the School of Earth Sciences,

Erkezhan TABIYEVA,

PhD, Leading Researcher at the Physics Center,

Zhanna ASYLKHANOVA,

Senior Lecturer at the School of Earth Sciences,

D. Serikbayev EKTU

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ABSTRACT

Earth remote sensing has transformed from an observation tool into the basis for digital analysis of territories, acquiring strategic importance for East Kazakhstan. The research ecosystem of D. Serikbayev EKTU integrates satellite monitoring, unmanned aerial technology, geomechanical research, and laboratory-analytical diagnostics into a single platform for sustainable subsoil use, environmental safety, and development of the region's resource potential.