Mine Surveying
Specialized surveying for mines and quarries including volume calculation. El-Eman Office provides mining survey services across Egypt.
Periodic surveys and their role in a quarry
In mine and quarry surveying, survey work is repeated regularly because the site changes constantly. A fixed control network is set up outside the extraction area to serve as the reference for every survey, then periodic surveys are carried out, each producing a digital model of the ground surface. Comparing two successive models gives the quantity extracted between them, which is an important accounting basis between the operator and the owner or contracting party.
Sources of error in volume calculation
- Different point density between two surveys, giving false differences.
- Incomplete coverage of face edges and very steep slopes.
- Soil piles and temporary stockpiles counted as natural ground.
- Using two different height references in the two surveys.
- Processing errors when converting points to a surface, especially around sharp edges.
To limit them, the measurement method is standardised, the data of each survey is kept, and results are checked against the recorded actual production quantities.
Monitoring face and slope stability
Besides calculating production, the movement of faces and slopes is monitored because collapses endanger workers and equipment. Monitoring marks are fixed on selected points and measured periodically, and any growing displacement is a warning. Field signs that should be reported include new cracks in or behind the face surface, repeated falls of small blocks, and water collecting behind the edge. Geotechnical decisions remain with specialists, while the surveyor supplies the accurate data they build on.
Extraction planning and development stages
- Mark the licence boundaries on the ground and secure them with clear markers.
- Design bench levels, widths and slopes.
- Draw a phased extraction plan that keeps safe routes for equipment.
- Compare execution with the design periodically and correct deviations.
- Prepare a final map of the condition when extraction ends or the site closes.
Occupational safety while surveying in quarries
A quarry is a hazardous work environment: high faces, heavy equipment, blasting and dust. The survey team must follow site safety instructions, wear protective gear, and coordinate entry to extraction areas with the people in charge to avoid working during blasting or truck movement. Where possible, use a drone or remote measurement to survey dangerous faces rather than approaching them.
- Never stand beneath an unstable face or an exposed edge.
- Tell operators where and when measurements will be taken.
- Wear reflective vests, helmets and suitable boots.
Frequently asked questions
How often is a quarry surveyed?
It depends on site activity and contract terms. Some sites are surveyed monthly and others quarterly. The key is to keep to a fixed schedule.
Do drone images replace a total station?
A drone is excellent for large areas and dangerous faces, but it must be backed by accurate ground control points, and a total station remains useful for details and verification.
How is the volume of an aggregate stockpile calculated?
By surveying the pile's surface and comparing it with the original ground beneath it, so it is best to survey the ground before stockpiling or define the base of the pile precisely.
