A mine surveyor is a professional engineer and architect who is in charge of a mining site’s design and future plans. These experts have a variety of educational backgrounds and may work as independent consultants or for a mining company. A mine surveyor has a huge responsibility to ensure that a mine’s workers are safe by performing accurate assessments and careful management.
To work as a mine surveyor, you’ll typically need a background in mathematics, engineering, or architecture. Many surveyors receive extensive vocational and on-the-job training in addition to formal education. Some surveying jobs require a bachelor’s degree, while others may accept sufficient work experience in lieu of a formal education.
The creation of mine maps and plans is usually one of the most important tasks that a mine surveyor will undertake. The surveyor must be able to take precise measurements of the landscape, including height, depth, and other factors, and convert the data into a map that can be used. Surveyors must also be able to research the mine area’s clear boundaries to ensure that the operation does not encroach on neighboring properties.
Obtaining topographical data necessitates familiarity with surveying instruments such as theodolites and GPS systems. Surveyors may spend the majority of their days outside, taking precise and meticulous measurements of every dip and rise in the terrain. A surveyor will need to convert raw measurement data into data that can be used to create a topographical map that includes relative positions, elevations, and other important measurement information.
A mine surveyor may be required to provide detailed drawings, written explanations, and plans for future expansion in addition to creating maps for both surface and underground operations. These documents could be crucial in obtaining legal permits and insurance coverage for the mining operation. In this process, technical drawing, writing ability, and good communication skills are often beneficial.
To keep track of all mine activity, such as excavations, a mine surveyor may be required. To account for all changes to the mine, mine surveys may need to be updated on a weekly or monthly basis. Any changes to the surface landscape, such as the addition of new buildings or permanent landscape alterations caused by an event such as an earthquake, may necessitate updated surveys. The job of a mine surveyor may never be fully completed due to the flurry of activity that usually surrounds a productive mine.