If you conjure up an image in your head regarding mining, you might think of a crusty old miner wading in a stream with a gold pan or perhaps a television show about digging for gold in Alaska. But mining is about much more than these images, it's a huge industry that offers some amazing career options for those who excel in science and math. Mine surveyors use many of the same tools as land surveyors, such as the ever popular theodolite, but the approach to mining engineering is different than land surveying.
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.
Of course, this profession definitely requires a college degree and many professionals in the mining industry have graduate degrees in mining engineering. As a student you will learn how to use surveying tools such as a GPS, a theodolite, a gyroscope and an inclinometer. You also will study many aspects of mining and minerals, including metallurgy, which is the study of elements with metallic properties. Earth sciences and environmental sciences probably will be part of your coursework as well as learning about all of those optical instruments.
The gyroscope is sometimes combined with a theodolite to create a gyro-theodolite. This is a device that can measure true north. It is particular helpful while constructing mining tunnels as it can help maintain orientation. This device also is used for tunnel engineering, such as for the construction of the massive Channel Tunnel that links England and France. By itself, the theodolite is an optical instrument that measures horizontal and vertical angles. This optical instrument is used by surveyors as well as many different kinds of engineers.
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.
Of course, surface mining also affects the environment so it will be important to think about environmental concerns for a surface mine as well. Among surface mining, you will find quarrying and open-pit mining and strip mining. Quarrying is a type of open-pit extraction but it is a term reserved for mines that extract only different types of stone. Strip mining is a term for extracting minerals that are very close to the surface of the ground. For all of these types of mining, a surveyor will use a theodolite and other optical instruments.
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.
Of course, this profession definitely requires a college degree and many professionals in the mining industry have graduate degrees in mining engineering. As a student you will learn how to use surveying tools such as a GPS, a theodolite, a gyroscope and an inclinometer. You also will study many aspects of mining and minerals, including metallurgy, which is the study of elements with metallic properties. Earth sciences and environmental sciences probably will be part of your coursework as well as learning about all of those optical instruments.
The gyroscope is sometimes combined with a theodolite to create a gyro-theodolite. This is a device that can measure true north. It is particular helpful while constructing mining tunnels as it can help maintain orientation. This device also is used for tunnel engineering, such as for the construction of the massive Channel Tunnel that links England and France. By itself, the theodolite is an optical instrument that measures horizontal and vertical angles. This optical instrument is used by surveyors as well as many different kinds of engineers.
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.
Of course, surface mining also affects the environment so it will be important to think about environmental concerns for a surface mine as well. Among surface mining, you will find quarrying and open-pit mining and strip mining. Quarrying is a type of open-pit extraction but it is a term reserved for mines that extract only different types of stone. Strip mining is a term for extracting minerals that are very close to the surface of the ground. For all of these types of mining, a surveyor will use a theodolite and other optical instruments.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier enjoys blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. For more information about surveying instruments like a WK-20-8500 observation theodolite, or to get more information about surveying instruments, go to the Warren Knight site today.
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