1.

Introduction to Mine Surveying

(CENG MnEg414)
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.1 Introduction
• Mine surveying is a branch of mining science and
technology that focus on opencast and
underground mining purposes.
• It includes all measurements, calculations and
mapping which serve the purpose of ascertaining
and documenting information at all stages from
prospecting to exploitation and utilizing mineral
deposits both by surface and underground
working
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.1 Introduction
• These measurements enable new mine works to
avoid older and possibly flooded ones, allow
connections to be made between different
underground passages and also to establish the
boundaries of mining claims and territories.
• The methods and the instruments used for open cast
and underground mine surveying are similar to those
used for normal surveys the difference is only where
the working points are fixed on the underground
mine, which is on the ceiling of the rocks in the
tunnels.
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.2 Surveying tools
• Surveying operations are very often associated with
the preparation of survey drawings, which may be
maps, plans, sections or elevation drawings, and
profiles.
• Plans/Maps
–Plans and maps are drawings on a horizontal plane
which show the main physical features on the
ground, such as buildings, fences, roads, rivers, lakes
and forests, as well as the changes in elevation
between land forms such as valleys and hills (called
vertical relief).
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.2 Surveying tools
–Plans are a large-scale (1: 10 000 or larger) a true-to-
scale representations, while maps are usually small-
scale drawings (1: 10 000 or smaller) which contain
features represented by conventional signs or
generalized symbols.
• Sections
–Drawings in a vertical plane are known as sections,
cross-sections or elevations. It is a vertical plan as it
would appear upon an upright plane cutting through
a building, or a line of proposed road, sewerage line,
etc.,
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.2 Surveying tools
–A long section such as along a proposed road or rail
route is known as a longitudinal section (profile),
while sections taken at right angles to the
longitudinal line are known as cross-sections. Cross
sections are usually taken at regular intervals and at
sudden changes in the center-line profile.
• Photographs
–Photogrammetry is a type of surveying which make
use of photographs taken either directly from the
ground (Terrestrial or ground photogrammetry) or
from air (Aerial photogrammetry).
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.2 Surveying tools
–In terrestrial photogrammetry maps are prepared
from terrestrial (or ground) photographs taken
from different points on the earth surface for
measurement purposes;
–whereas, in aerial photogrammetry maps are
produced from air photographs.
–Aerial photographs are photos taken from the air
making use of an aeroplane or balloon
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.3 Comparison of the Engineering and Cartographic
Graphic Document
• Engineering and cartographic drawings are graphical
means of communicating information about objects,
structures, or places that show how the subjects will
look when completed.
• Cartography is the art, science, and technology of
making maps, together with their study as scientific
documents and works of art.
• It includes all types of maps, plans, charts, and sections,
three-dimensional models and globes representing the
Earth or any celestial body at any scale.
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.3 Comparison of the Engineering and Cartographic
Graphic Document
• An engineering graphic document is a graphical
language that communicates ideas and information
(all needed information) from the engineer,
who designed a part, to the workers, who
will make it.
• Between cartographic and engineering graphic
document there are some theoretical and practical
similarities. Both domains use practically the same
techniques and their main goal is to communicate
effectively and in a useful way.
1. Introduction to mine surveying
1.4 Scale
• Scale is a mathematical ratio of distance on the
map to the corresponding distance on the ground.
• Scale of a map can generally be classified as large
(>= 1:1,000), medium (1:1,000 to 1:10,000) and
small scale (<= 1:10,000).
• Large denominators indicate small scale; whereas
small denominators are indicative of large scale. In
a small scale map, features are small and
generalized. In a large scale map, features are
more detailed but less area is seen.
1. Introduction to mine surveying
Types of measuring scale
• Plain Scale- represents either two units or only one
unit and its fraction. It consists of a line divided in
to suitable numbers of equal parts or units, the first
of which is subdivided in to smaller parts.

• Comparative scale- the scales having the common

representation fraction but graduated
comparatively to read different units called
comparative scales,
1. Introduction to mine surveying
Types of measuring scale
• Such scales showing comparatively inches and
centimeters, miles and kilometers, degree and
radians, time and distance traveled, etc.

• The advantage is that measurements are taken

directly in the desired unit without any calculations.
1. Introduction to mine surveying
Types of measuring scale
• Diagonal Scale - a diagonal scale represents either
three units or only one unit and its fraction up to
second place of decimal point. It consists of a line
divided in to suitable number of equal parts. The
first part is subdivided into suitable number of
equal parts, each of which is further divided into
smallest parts by diagonals.
1. Introduction to mine surveying
Types of measuring scale
• Vernier Scale - a vernier scale is, an additional, scale
which allows a distance or angle measurement to
be read more precisely than directly reading a
uniformly divided straight or circular measurement
scale.
Next Topic:
Preparation and interpretation of
topographic maps