Midlands State University

Faculty of Science and Technology

Department of Surveying and Geomatics
Lecturer/Instructor: Mapurisa TP

Email: mapurisatp@staff.msu.ac.zw

Classroom: SVG Block (SVG1-SVG4)

Course Introduction
This course is an introductory and practical course to the study of mine surveying. It is designed
primarily for mining engineering students to replicate surveying operations both on surface and in
underground mines. This course is about transferring surveying measurements from the surface to
the underground environment, processing these observations using mathematical concepts,
presenting the data in desired formats and using the results for the planning and design of surface
and underground mining layouts.

Topics to be covered include

introduction to mine surveying, correlation of surface and underground surveys, typical mining
surveys (Levelling, Theodolites, Total Station/GPS surveys), typical mining surveys (Linear
measurements), three-dimensional calculations and setting out surveys, application of
photogrammetry and remote sensing in mining and geographic information system, GIS (its
application in mineral industry).

The practical work is compulsory and it will cover typical mine surveying exercises. Students will be
required to carry out surveying observations (both on the surface and in the underground), process
the data to design an underground mine layout. Presentation of surveying results is by means of a
project report.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course is for the students to be able to:

 gather surveying data;

 process surveying data; and
 present mine surveying data according to legal requirements.

 differentiate between surface survey and underground survey

 correlate between surface survey and underground survey

 operate and use basic surveying equipments in gathering mine surveying data;

 process the fieldwork using mathematical concepts;

 present the processed information applying cartography principles;

 produce surveying records in terms of mining laws; and

 apply surveying results in mine planning and design of three dimensional mining layout.
Detailed module outline

1) Introduction to mining engineering.

– Introduction
– Mining Terminology
– Design of horizontal control networks in underground mines
– Monumentation and marking of points
– Angle measurements
– Distance measurements

2) Mapping of open pits and underground mines.

– Mine orientation surveys

– Weisbach triangle
– Weiss quadrilateral
– Assumed base method
– The gyro- theodolite

3) Tunneling surveys.

– Methods and Procedure of Tunnel Surveying

– How is Transferring of Center Line into the Tunnel Carried Out?
– How to Transfer the Tunnel Grade?
– Decision of Shape and Size of the Tunnel
– Tunnel Engineering -Features, Advantages and Methods of Tunneling in Construction
Ventilation in Tunnels
– Types of Ventilation Systems in Tunnel Construction
– Underground Surveying–Methods And Applications

4) Rock deformation measurements.

– Structural geology
– Folding and faulting
– Folding and faulting terminology
– How rocks deform
– Classification of faults

5) Mine planning
– defination
– role of surveyor
– types of planning
6) Monitoring and analysis of ground subsidence.

– Mine Subsidence
– Types of subsidence
– Measurement of damage

7) Mining Law

– Mines and Minerals Act

 – Mining (General) Regulations
– Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations
– Explosive (Licensing and Use) Regulations

8) Mine Ventilation

– Introduction
– Principles of Mine ventilation
– Ascentional Ventilation
– Distribution of air
– Types of ventilation systems
 Force System
 Exhaust system
 Force Exhaust system
– Respirable Dust
– Airflow
– Mine gasses
– Noise

Module Assessments

Module assessment will constitute

30% Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment will be 2 practicals,3 tests and 1 assignment

70% Exam Mark

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures and also participate in all
practical exercises. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of absence, the student must
communicate as soon as possible with any of the instructors, indicating the reason for the absence.

Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments,

examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited. You are not allowed to make copies
of another person’s work and submit it as your own; that is plagiarism

Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit assignments as scheduled. Failure
to submit an assignment as at when due will earn you zero for that assignment. Only under
extenuating circumstances, for which a student has notified any of the instructors in advance, will
late submission of assignments be permitted. Group discussions are allowed after every lecture to
enable every student to interact and share their knowledge of the course.

Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms: Students should turn off their cell phones during lectures.
Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting, watching videos, etc.)
during lectures. Food and drinks are not permitted in the laboratories.

Reading Material

i) Bannister, Raymond and Baker: Surveying,. 7th Edition, Addison Wesley Logman Ltd, England
(1998).
ii) Borshch-Komponiets, V., Fedorov, B. And Kolesnikova, M: Elementary Plane and Mine Surveying.
Mir Publisers Moscow (1986). Translated from Russian by V.V. Kuznetsov
iii) Cawood, F.T. Mine Surveying: Lecture notes on mine surveying, University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, South Africa (2012).
iv) Schofield, W and Breach M : Engineering Surveying. Butterworth-Heinemann, Burlington, MA,
USA. Six Edition (2007) chapter 13
v) South African Institute of Mine Surveyors (SAIMS): Mine Surveying for Mine Sourveyors. An
Institutional Handbook on Mine Surveying. Published by SAIMS, JHB, South Africa Updated
version (2004)
vi) South African Institute of Mine Surveyors (SAIMS): Problems and Solution on Mine Surveying.
Published by SAIMS, JHB, South Africa (1994)