S‐5P/TROPOMI‐Derived NOxEmissions From Copper/Cobalt Mining and Other Industrial Activities in the Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia)

We have analyzed Sentinel‐5 Precursor TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) data over the Copperbelt mining region (Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia). Despite high background values, annual 2019–2022 means of TROPOMI NO2(nitrogen dioxide) show local enhancements consistent with six point sources (four copper/cobalt mines, two cities) where high‐emission industrial activities take place. We have quantified annual NOx(nitrogen oxides) emissions from these point sources, identified temporal trends in emissions, and found strong correlations with production data from colocated mines and one oil refinery. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Global Anthropogenic (CAMS‐GLOB‐ANT) version 5 inventory underpredicts TROPOMI‐derived emissions and lacks the temporal trends observed in TROPOMI and mine/refinery production. These results demonstrate the potential for satellite monitoring of mining and other industrial activities, often unreported or underestimated, which impact the air quality of local communities. This is particularly important for Africa, where mining is increasing aggressively. We show for the first time that annual NOxgas pollution emitted by individual copper/cobalt mines can be measured with TROPOMI satellite data, even in the presence of high background pollution from biomass burning and other sources. This is important for monitoring the air quality of local communities, particularly when these industrial activities proliferate in close proximity to population centers (as is the case in the Copperbelt mining region and in other African regions) and without sufficient ground measurements of air pollution levels. Additionally, we show for the first time that the annual amount of NOxpollution emitted by these single point sources is strongly correlated with annual production from individual, colocated copper/cobalt mines and one oil refinery. Studies like this can be used to estimate mine/oil refinery production before companies release their annual reports or (for non‐publicly traded companies) in the absence of such reports. Insufficient emissions from mines claiming high production could indicate production from a different source. Joint analysis of satellite‐derived emissions and mine production reports could be useful in improving the traceability of minerals extracted in conflict areas. We quantified annual TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI)‐derived NOxemissions from point sources corresponding to copper/cobalt mines, despite high background valuesAnnual emissions from individual point sources are strongly correlated with annual production from colocated single mines, one oil refineryTROPOMI is relevant to monitoring air quality and mining/industrial production in remote regions where these activities are growing rapidly We quantified annual TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI)‐derived NOxemissions from point sources corresponding to copper/cobalt mines, despite high background values Annual emissions from individual point sources are strongly correlated with annual production from colocated single mines, one oil refinery TROPOMI is relevant to monitoring air quality and mining/industrial production in remote regions where these activities are growing rapidly