Mine Surveying

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. differentiate between surface survey and underground survey; 2. explain the application surveying in various surface and underground mining operations; 3. explain how to operate and use basic surveying equipment in gathering data for various mine operations; 4. discuss the concept of remote sensing in mine surveying; 5. carry out practical surveying using necessary tools and equipment; 6. process field (survey) data using relevant mathematical concepts; 7. process and present information for application in cartography principles; and 8. apply surveying results in mine planning and design of three-dimensional mining layout.

Mining theodolite. Unique difference between mining theodolite and land surveying theodolite. Surveying in open cast mines – building and construction of an open cast deposit. Calculations for drilling, blasting, excavation, transport operations and drainage. Mine survey control in supports and stability of slopes in quarry/open pit mines. Factors affecting stability and deformation of slopes in quarry or open pit mines. Methods of calculation of angle of slope in quarry or open pit mines. Surveying in underground mine systems – control on industrial layout of underground deposits. Construction of shaft and shaft lift; mine survey work on contact with mineral surface (lava). Geometrical projections of mine rocks and other mine features. Geometrical classification of industrial and non-industrial mineral deposit. Parameters of mineral reserve estimation and methods of quantifying mineral reserve. Concept of displacement in underground mining zone. Process of displacement of mine rocks/earth surface. Basic understanding and parameters that characterise the process of rock/earth/displacement. Factors affecting rock displacement in mineral deposit. Mine survey control on displaced mine rock/earth surface. Application of photogrammetry and remote sensing in mining. Geographic Information System (GIS) and its application in the mineral industry. Computer application in surveying, mine planning and fieldwork.