Australian ore mines, GeoEye-1 satellite image. This is part of the Yarrie mine complex, in Western Australia, a series of iron ore mines excavated using open-pit mining. This excavates and processes the surface material, leaving vast open pits (grey, bottom). A dry river bed and road are at upper left. This image is just over a kilometre across and shows the northern part of the Yarrie 10 mine complex. Image data obtained on 23 August 2009. The US-operated GeoEye-1 satellite was launched in September 2008, and orbits at a height of 680 kilometres. It is the world's highest resolution commercial Earth-imaging satellite.