MINE SURVEYING

Undertake mine survey and surface plan inspections, and maintain records of existing and defunct mines

Surveying Matters

At the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate, the Mine Surveying unit continuously monitors standards and practices in mine surveying through quality surveillance and inspections in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended.

In general, mine surveying is the measurements, calculations and mapping of information relating to:

The different stages of mining – from prospecting to exploitation.

The utilisation of mineral deposits – on surface or underground, even at sea.

The quantification of the volume of minerals at a mine, ore production from mining operations and the volume of the dumps of waste accumulating on the surface of the mining property.

Mine surveying can include underground check measurements in restricted areas where surface structures require protection as well as the measurements of underground workings to determine the accurate representation of such workings on the mine plans.

During underground inspections, the inspectors of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate check for escape route plans and if refugee bays are life sustaining. The Inspectorate also comments and make recommendations regarding the safe utilisation of land for development, especially on undermined land, and the processing of applications for permissions and exemptions from the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended.

Special Surveys

Special surveys are done to assist in surveying the extent of illegal surface mining activities and to quantify the volume of minerals removed. It can also include determining the distances of mining operations from residential areas where complaints are lodged against mining operations.

Mapping Services

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy administers the archiving, retrieval and safe-keeping of the prescribed mine plans and survey records of mines that have closed. Mine plans of closed-down mines are made available to the mine owners and/or their representatives.

Mapping services also include the provision of information regarding the undermining status of land for development and other purposes as well as maintaining surveying and mapping standards through monitoring compliance by the mines.

The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate furthermore ensure that the departmental copies of all statutory mine plans are deposited annually at the regional offices.