The
Australian Institute of Mine Surveyors (AIMS) commenced about
1980 at Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE now
University of Southern Queensland) as a self interest group of mine
surveyors dedicated to the advancement and professional development
of the vocational group. Membership was open to all practicing and
qualified mine surveyors throughout Australia. Provision was also
made for associate and student members to participate in AIMS
affairs.
AIMS was run for
many years from a base at DDIAE, with the Queensland Branch being
the national body and a short time later, a NSW Branch was formed,
mainly centred on the Hunter Valley. The bulk of membership came
from the coal mining industry in NSW and Queensland, although now
there is strong representation from both coal and metalliferous
mines throughout Australia and Internationally.
AIMS has been
continuously active since its inception and has conducted annual
seminars since 1983, each of 2 to 3 days duration. As the years have
passed the numbers attending the seminars has increased. The
increase in numbers of membership and seminar attendance can be a
direct result of the changes in legislation and the professional
nature of the mine surveyor.
In early 2002, AIMS
stepped on to the world stage via the internet. The site, and domain
name, was developed to assist communications between the directors
and AIMS members. The site, through further development, has also
allowed our members to communicate and discuss ideas via the forum
page. As our membership spreads the web site will become a more
useful tool to communicate events, ideas, legislation changes,
technological advances and employment opportunities.
In that same year
(2002), the unincorporated AIMS was formally established as a
company limited by guarantee and is now known as AIMS – Australian
Institute of Mine Surveyors Limited. Directors were appointed to
manage the affairs of the company and a new constitution that
embraces the ideals of the original unincorporated body was adopted.
With Mine Surveyor
registration changes occurring throughout the country, AIMS again
modified its constitution and membership policy, in 2006, to meet
the needs of its current and future members.
AIMS Limited’s
membership is comprised of Registered and Authorised Mine Surveyors
from the coal and metalliferous industries, assistant surveyors,
surveying students and retired surveyors.
May 2007
