THE MINING SECTOR

Mining, both underground and open pit, continues to play an important role in the South African economy in terms of GDP, employment and exports, and forms an important part of the country's National Development Plan.



In order to maintain and improve its competitive position in the global resource sector, the South African mining industry is under threat, and needs to increase safety and productivity, contain and reduce costs, and improve labour relations.

FOCUS ON MINE SURVEYING

Mine surveying is a branch of mining science and technology that plays an important role in mining infrastructure planning, development and operation. It includes all measurements, calculations and mapping which serve the purpose of ascertaining and documenting information at all stages from prospecting to exploitation and utilising mineral deposits both by surface and underground working. The following are the principal activities of mine surveying: 

• The interpretation of the geology of mineral deposits in relation to the economic exploitation thereof
• The investigation and negotiation of mineral mining rights
• Making and recording, and calculations of mine surveying measurements
• Mining cartography
• Investigation and prediction of effects of mine working on the surface and underground strata
• Mine planning in the context of local environment and subsequent rehabilitation

• "Geomatics in mining: The need for consolidated geo-databases for improved planning and decision making", by Alistair Main, GCS Water and Environmental Consultants
• "Measuring deformation from space: InSAR as an operational tool for the mining sector", by Davide Colombo, Tele-Rilevamento Europa
• "A simple solution to a real problem experienced during the application of a unique mining method", by Jochem Erasmus, Optron
• "Monitoring of mine tailings using satellite and Lidar data", by Prevlan  Chetty, Southern Mapping Geospatial
• "Safer survey of alignment in underground mining", by Erich Tetema, Petra Diamonds, and Coenie van der Bergh, Aciel Geomatics

Several paper presentations in other tracks on 23 and 24 July 2013 will also prove of significant importance and interest to mine surveyors.  

SASGI 2013 TRAINING WORKSHOPS: MINE SURVEYING FOCUS 

There will also be 32 one-hour training workshops in 2 streams over 2 days (23 & 24 July 2013) at the SA Surveying + Geomatics Indaba 2013, several of which will be of specific relevance and interest to mine surveyors.

Download the SASGI 2013 workshop training programme

OPTRON VIP PARTNERS CONFERENCE: MINE SURVEYING FOCUS  

The OPTRON VIP Partners Conference on 22 July 2013 will feature a keynote presentation by mining guru, scenario planner, futurologist and former director at Anglo American Corporation, Clem Sunter. Several of the subsequent 24 presentations in 4 parallel tracks at the OPTRON VIP Partners Conference will deal specifically with technologies and solutions for the mine surveying sector.

Download the OPTRON VIP Partners Conference programme 

SASGI 2013 EXHIBITION: MINE SURVEYING FOCUS

Finally, many of the companies exhibiting at the SA Surveying + Geomatics Indaba 2013 exhibition will be showcasing their latest technology and solutions to the mine surveying sector.  

Check who is exhibiting at the SASGI 2013 exhibition