Sometimes it is difficult to define
exactly what a Mine Surveyor is - the role is constantly evolving.
Here are some definitions of a "mine surveyor" from around the
world, collated via a google search of the internet.
These "definitions" and descriptions are presented here without
further comment for the interest of members and the education of
inquisitive visitors. The source URL links have been removed since
many of the original links have subsequently changed.
A Mine Surveyor measures
underground and open-cut mine workings in full detail. Their
measurements enable new mine works to avoid older and possibly
flooded ones, and allow connections to be made between different
underground passages. Mine surveyors also establish the boundaries
of mining claims in some states and territories.
MINE SURVEYOR
Mine surveyors undertake both underground and surface surveys
designed to produce information for the construction of mine plans.
Mine surveyors are responsible for
preparing and updating the entire surface and underground plans of a
mine on a monthly basis. They plan the direction and extent of all
underground workings, and use advanced surveying techniques and
instruments to give these directions underground. Each month they
measure the quantity of work done by the mining contractors
underground, and calculate their contract earnings.
Their work has to be very accurate
at all times. Mine surveyors work underground most mornings of the
week, giving direction lines for the miners to follow, or taking
samples of the reef. During the afternoons they do calculations in
their offices.
Senior survey personnel perform
management functions, as well as managing the underground "ore"
reserve.
Mine
surveyor
Mine Surveyors are responsible for maintaining an accurate plan of
the mine as a whole and will update maps of the surface layout to
account for new buildings and other structures, as well as surveying
the underground mine workings in order to keep a record of the
mining operation.
More importantly, the surveyor is involved in the measuring process
to calculate ore production, in volume or mass units, from the
mining operation. In addition to this, the volume of the dumps of
waste accumulating on the surface of the mining property will also
be surveyed. This aspect of the work has turned the Mine Surveyor
into a manager of the ‘resources’ of the mine.
Since valuable minerals occur in a variety of concentrations in the
ore, the resource manager, in cooperation with the geologist, is
responsible for dividing up the orebody into blocks where the
average grades of the ore are known. This allows the Mining Engineer
to decide which blocks are economical to extract and which are not.
As a result of this information a plan for the extraction of a
blended mixture of low and high grade ores can be made. This
planning ensures that the mining process is prolonged, the removal
of ore is optimized and the metallurgical processing plant, which
will not work well if there are large grade variations, is able to
operate at consistently high levels of efficiency.
Mine Surveyor
The official at a mine who periodically surveys the mine
workings and prepares plans for the manager. Formerly, the
mine surveyor carried out many of the duties now performed by the
planning department.
One who applies special knowledge
and techniques gained through experience or training to make
surface and underground surveys at a mine, locating
himself/herself on the Earth's surface by taking instrument shots on
the sun or stars and making necessary calculations, surveying and
calculating the volume of material in dumps, carrying survey
lines underground by shaft plumbing (cord or wire with attached bob
is suspended from the shaft surface) and instrument shots taken on
the bob at a shaft station, controlling by underground surveys
and calculations the driving and connection of underground passages
on and between various levels, computing the volume of coal in
portions of the mine from survey notes, and drafting maps of the
mine workings.
Also called spud setter;underground
surveyor.
MINE SURVEYOR
Conducts surveys at surface and subsurface mine workings, tunnel
and subway sites, and underground storage facilities to control
direction and extent of mining. Takes instrument readings of sun or
stars and calculates longitude and latitude to determine mine
location. Directs survey technicians and helpers in use of
electronic surveying equipment, light emitting systems, or plumb
bobs to transfer surface survey positions and directions to
underground areas. Computes data necessary for driving and
connecting underground passages to control direction and extent of
mining operation. Computes volume of coal or ore in portions of
mine, using survey notes. Surveys and calculates volume of material
in dumps, spoil piles, or veins, and amount of overburden to be
removed. Drafts maps of mine workings.
mine surveying - using
measurements for safe and efficient mining operations.
Mine Surveyors
Mine Surveyors measure underground and open-cut mine workings in
full detail. Their measurements enable new mine workings to avoid
older and possibly flooded ones, and allow connections to be made
between different underground passages. Mine surveyors also
establish the boundaries of mining claims in some States and
Territories.
Mining - Going underground
Mining surveyors design and measure mines, tunnels and other
underground and surface works.
How would mining companies find gold or other minerals without
surveyors to help them locate resources and design tunnel systems to
reach them?
Mine surveying is a
specialist area of surveying involving the measurement,
representation and management of data associated with a mining
operation.
Mine surveyors are responsible for marking out, measuring and
maintaining direction of all surface and underground workings on a
mine site.
In addition they are also legally responsible for the preparation
and updating of all mine surveying plans for open pit and
underground workings on the mine site, as legally required by the
Department of Minerals and Energy.
Do you like the out of doors? Do you
find it challenging to work math problems, especially algebra and
trigonometry? Do you enjoy people. Do you like both physical and
mental work? If so then consider becoming a Mine Surveyor.
A mine surveyor provides all sorts of information to personnel on
the mine site. This information may include the location of coal and
waste, and show the location of buildings, fences or power lines.
You may be called upon to provide elevations or to locate
underground workings, drill bits, etc. in the field. In addition you
may be required to supervise personnel.
Submitted by:
Mark McShane
ex - Mine Surveyor and site webmaster
Web: www.intouchweb.com.au
Email:
mark@intouchweb.com.au
