In 1923, a need for standardisation of mine survey disciplines was acknowledged by the formation of the Institute of Mine Surveyors of South Africa (IMSSA), which has since enjoyed the wholehearted support of other mining authorities.
The Institute's primary objectives are to advance the science and practice of mine surveying and allied disciplines, to promote and protect the character and interests of the profession, and to foster professional etiquette.
IMSSA is also actively involved with the education and training of mine surveyors and is affiliated to the International Society for Mine Surveying (ISM) and the SA Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (PLATO), which is the MISSA registration body.
A government Mine Surveyor's Certificate of Competency (COC) is a requirement for appointment as responsible mine surveyor on a mine.

Courses

Mine survey training is offered at the University of Johannesburg, via UJ Department of Mine Surveying on +27 (0) 11 406 2357.
Witwatersrand Technicon, now part of UJ, also host mine surveying courses. Visit www.twr.ac.za
University of the Witwatersrand offers relevant courses in the Engineering and Built Environment school, including a postgraduate level Graduate Diploma In Engineering (GDE), which involves passing a selection of six postgraduate courses. Students may convert a GDE to an MSc by completing a project report or, in the fields of mineral economics and rock mechanics, by completing a further six courses.
Competency-based training in various mining groups is provided in-house, in some cases on the job, in others via formalised courses. Trainees have the opportunity to work their way up the promotional ladder via a set of exams.
IMSSA has drafted Technical Procedures Guidelines for Mine Surveying, to which a mine manager's Code of Practice for Mine Surveying would refer.

Organisation

Council is elected yearly and comprises 17 members; President, two Vice Presidents, immediate Past President, and 13 others, four representing district branches. Council meets quarterly.
The AGM in September includes a one day or two day seminar. A three day conference, IMSCON, is organised every four years.
IMSSA is represented on the organising committee of the Conference of Southern African Surveyors, COSAS, supported by all branches of the surveying profession in SA, every fourth year. IMSSA is also part of the International Society of Mine Surveying (ISM), hosted the 2008 Presidium, and will host the 2010 ISM Congress.
Negotiations with the South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors, PLATO, have led to the registration of Mine Surveyors under the Land Survey Act, 1997 (Act No 8 of 1997) within that organisation.

Functions

Mine surveying includes measurements, calculations and mapping to ascertain and document information from prospecting to exploitation and use of mineral deposits, on surface and underground operations.

Functions of mine surveyors include;
· Interpretation of geology of deposits in relation to the economic exploitation
· Investigation and negotiation of mineral mining rights
· Recording and calculating mine surveying measurements
· Mining cartography
· Investigation and prediction of effects of mining on surface and underground strata
· Mine planning in the context of local environment and subsequent rehabilitation.

Survey activities involve:
· Location, structure, configuration, dimensions and characteristics of deposits, adjoining rocks and overlying strata
· Study of rock and ground movements caused by mining, prediction, precautions and treatment of subsidence damage
· Assisting in planning and rehabilitation of land affected by mineral operations, and collaborating with local government planning authorities.

* Contact IMSSA via ims@netactive.co.za or visit their website at www.ims.org.za