Section14MineSurveying..doc

Section 14 Mine Surveying Mine surveying is a discipline concerned with surface and underground measurements, obtaining data in digital form and making graphical representation for prospecting mineral deposits, for exploitation of mines and their construction. Mine surveying came into being a few centuries ago when extensively developing mining called for the determination of the boundaries of the mining claims. The early period of mine surveying may be considered as the art of running underground traverses. However, as it developed, mine surveying became a complex discipline that included, apart from techniques of mine surveying, the estimation of the accuracy of measurements and calculations based on the method of least squares and probability theory, the mine surveying instrumentation, the geometry of mineral resources, study of tectonics, shifts and pressures of rocks (geomechanics) etc. All these aspects of mine surveying have the same objectives, i. e. the precision of geological exploration as well as the safety and efficiency in working a mine. The impetus received, by geological exploration and mining in the last few years results in a larger spectrum and complexity of the tasks to be faced by mine surveyors, called also mineral surveying by introducing sophisticated equipment. There is a trend to create special-purpose groups to conduct one type of mine surveying operations. Certain progress has been made in the methods of mine surveying, special manuals and regulations have been prepared, new solutions of the problems of orientation and construction of reference nets have been suggested. Moreover, we are witnessing the advent of high-precision theodolites and optical range finders for densification of reference nets and the introduction of new instruments and novel methods for surveys of open pits. Lasers have recently become very popular to give lines and grades and check on the directions of mines and provide control for such operations as mine shaft