When you think about mining, you might just think about gold and silver mining, but there are many types of mining and this can be an excellent career option for someone who enjoys math and science. Just like a land surveyor, these professionals use a variety of tools such as a theodolite or inclinometer. Here is some information about the career of a mine surveyor.
There are mines all over the world in just about every country on the planet, and many different substances are mined. For instance, a mining operation might be extracting copper, iron or tin. There are also salt mines, gypsum mines, spar mines and mines that are used to collect phosphor or potassium. Each mineral has its own specific purpose for various industries, and there are several different mining methods used depending on the type of mineral that is being mined.
A mine surveyor probably will pursue a college degree in mining engineering, as well as taking extensive coursework in various earth sciences and possibly metallurgy. This is the study of different metallic elements. There are many universities around the world that offer degrees in mining engineering. During your studies, you won't just be reading from textbooks, you will also learn practical skills such as how to use GPS receivers, a gyroscope and optical instruments such as a theodolite and a clinometer.
The tools of the trade are quite important to learn about. For instance, a theodolite is used by many types of surveyors around the world and this device will measure horizontal angles as well as vertical angles. A gyroscope sometimes will be used by itself but one also might use a gyro-theodolite, which is a combination of the gyroscope and theodolite. Usually this is used to calculate true north and helps sustain orientation when one constructs a mine tunnel. Actually it can be used for many underground projects, and was used to help construct the Chunnel, the tunnel that connects England to France.
Limiting environmental damage is a big part of mining engineering and a mine surveyor will be thinking about that as he or she plans or expands a mine. Safety also is a huge concern, particularly with underground mining. Tunnels must be constructed carefully using a theodolite, total station or gyro-theodolite and other tools. Not only must you create safe tunnels, you also must figure out ways to extract minerals that won't compromise the structural integrity of the mine.
Surface mining includes techniques such as open-pit mining, strip mining and quarrying as ways to extract materials. With open-pit mining, you might be extracting clay, coal, gypsum, limestone or even different metal ores. Quarrying is actually a term for open-pit mining that is used to extract stone rather than mineral such as copper or uranium. Strip mining typically is used to extract coal and lignite that rests close to the ground surface. Again, a mine surveyor will use devices such as theodolite for surface mining, as well.
There are mines all over the world in just about every country on the planet, and many different substances are mined. For instance, a mining operation might be extracting copper, iron or tin. There are also salt mines, gypsum mines, spar mines and mines that are used to collect phosphor or potassium. Each mineral has its own specific purpose for various industries, and there are several different mining methods used depending on the type of mineral that is being mined.
A mine surveyor probably will pursue a college degree in mining engineering, as well as taking extensive coursework in various earth sciences and possibly metallurgy. This is the study of different metallic elements. There are many universities around the world that offer degrees in mining engineering. During your studies, you won't just be reading from textbooks, you will also learn practical skills such as how to use GPS receivers, a gyroscope and optical instruments such as a theodolite and a clinometer.
The tools of the trade are quite important to learn about. For instance, a theodolite is used by many types of surveyors around the world and this device will measure horizontal angles as well as vertical angles. A gyroscope sometimes will be used by itself but one also might use a gyro-theodolite, which is a combination of the gyroscope and theodolite. Usually this is used to calculate true north and helps sustain orientation when one constructs a mine tunnel. Actually it can be used for many underground projects, and was used to help construct the Chunnel, the tunnel that connects England to France.
Limiting environmental damage is a big part of mining engineering and a mine surveyor will be thinking about that as he or she plans or expands a mine. Safety also is a huge concern, particularly with underground mining. Tunnels must be constructed carefully using a theodolite, total station or gyro-theodolite and other tools. Not only must you create safe tunnels, you also must figure out ways to extract minerals that won't compromise the structural integrity of the mine.
Surface mining includes techniques such as open-pit mining, strip mining and quarrying as ways to extract materials. With open-pit mining, you might be extracting clay, coal, gypsum, limestone or even different metal ores. Quarrying is actually a term for open-pit mining that is used to extract stone rather than mineral such as copper or uranium. Strip mining typically is used to extract coal and lignite that rests close to the ground surface. Again, a mine surveyor will use devices such as theodolite for surface mining, as well.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. To get additional information about surveying instruments like a WK-20-8500 observation theodolite, or to find more information about surveying instruments, go to the Warren Knight website now.
