Survey Works in Marcventures Mining and

Development Corporation (MMDC)

Angelie M. Lape
Shamille Hope P. Sumagayan

BSGE, USEP

August 2016

I. Introduction
Surveying is a discipline, which encompasses all methods for measuring, processing, and
disseminating information about the physical earth and our environment (Wuttiet Tafesse &
Tesfaye Gobena, 2005). There are different types of surveys depending on its usage. In
Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC), Topographic Survey and
Hydrographic Survey are two major types of survey that are used.
Topographic Survey is performed in order to determine the relative positions of existing
natural and constructed features on a tract of land (like ground elevation, bodies of water, roads,
buildings etc.). It provides information on the shape of the land, hills, valleys, ridges and
general slope of the ground. The datas obtained from a topographic surveys are plotted in a map
called topographic map and the shape of the ground is shown with lines of equal elevation called
contours (Wuttiet Tafesse & Tesfaye Gobena, 2005).
Hydrographic Survey involves locating and measuring points under the sea and on the
shore. There measurements are used to design infrastructure such as docks and jetties as well as
ensuring ships have enough clearance from the sea bed to safely travel around the world. Using
sonar scanners they are able to provide a picture of the sea bed without needing to get their feet
wet and enabling the discovery of ship wrecks and other objects lost at sea (Board of Surveying
and Spatial Information of NSW).
Mine surveying is a branch of mining science and technology. It includes all
measurements, calculations and mapping which serve the purpose of ascertaining and
documenting information at all stages from prospecting to exploitation and utilizing mineral
deposits both by surface and underground working (Izhar Jiskani).

Mine surveyors are responsible for preparing and updating the entire surface and
underground plans of a mine on a monthly basis. They plan the direction and extent of all
underground workings, and use advanced surveying techniques and instruments to give these
directions underground. Mine surveyors undertake both underground and surface surveys
designed to produce information for the construction of mine plans. They take instrument
reading of sun or stars and calculate longitude and latitude to determine mine location. They
calculate the volume of the mineral ore in dumps, spoil piles, or veins, and amount of overburden
to be removed (Izhar Jiskani).

II. Objectives
The OJT Trainees aim:
1. To be exposed in the field works related to surveys
2. To familiarize and manipulate the instruments used in surveying
3. To gain knowledge on software used that is related to survey
4. To know the importance of surveying in a mining industry

III. Discussion
Geology and Exploration Department (GED)

The Geology and Exploration Department (GED) is responsible for the exploration of
ores and getting of its samples to be given to the Assay Department for analysis. In MMDC, the
GED makes a request to Survey Section to conduct a survey at a certain location where there are
possible high grade mineral ores. They gave coordinates of the position of drilled holes in which
the Mine Surveyor command to its survey team to relocate the said drilled holes and to do data
adjustment.
On the first day (June 20, 2016) of the 3-day stay on the GED, the supervisor lectured the
trainees about the department and its duty and later asked to make an isopach map. Isopach map
illustrates thickness variations within a tabular unit, layer or stratum. It displays lines of equal
thickness in a layer where the thicknesses are measured perpendicular to the layer boundaries.
Isopach maps in geology are also referred to as True Stratigraphic Thickness (TST) maps
(Wikipedia). The trainees were asked to classify the drilled holes if it is barren, has limonite or
saprolite.
Fig. 1. Sample of an Isopach Map.

The next day (June 21, 2016), the trainees were exposed to field works done in GED, that
is, the location of points for Auger Drilling and Face Sampling. The trainees experienced to use a
Brunton compass to be able to locate points and later on manipulate the Drill Bit, which is
usually 3-5 meters long, to manually drill the points that had been located.
Fig. 2. Brunton Compass.

In the afternoon, the trainees

Fig. 3. Drill Bit.

experienced to scrape the soil, preferably 3 meters tall

from the ground, which corresponds to the mark thats supposed to have a sample to be analyzed.
These samples should be compressed thoroughly inside the plastic sample bags so that the grade
of the sample will not lessen because so much presence of air will make its grade low. The
trainees also went to the Assay Laboratory to deliver these samples and to observe the
procedures in analyzing and getting the results of the samples being delivered.
On the last day (June 22, 2016), the trainees observed the relocation of drilled holes and
the extraction of samples from tube. YBM Drilling Machine is introduced to the trainees during
this time. They also gained knowledge on how to manipulate the Total Station (TS) and what
data should be entered to it.
Fig. 4. YBM Drilling Machine.

Fig. 5. Total Station

Surveying is essential to GED because when this department gives the coordinates to the
Survey Section, the survey team is the one that will locate the exact position of these points on
the ground and thus enabling the GED to get the desired samples for analysis.

Mine Operation Department (MOD)

Upon confirmation from the Grade Control that there is a mineral ore in the said location
located by the Survey Section, and planned by the Mine Planning Section, the Mine Operation
Department (MOD) may start doing its job by hauling the mineral ores from the said location.
MOD is the one that is responsible for the hauling of mineral ores and supervising all the
activities in mining. Also, it is responsible for the transport and shipment of these ores.
MMDC has three active mining areas namely Pili, Sipangpang, and Cabangahan. In
which each mining areas are assigned to different shift mining engineers. The designated
supervisors in each mining areas assigned the trainees to Pili for one day and the same goes for
Sipangpang and Cabangahan (June 28-29, 2016). In Pili, The trainees act as a Dump truck
Checker. The Supervisor told the trainees to record the time cycle of the dump truck. Since,

clearing operations that time in Sipangpang it is not yet finished. The trainees observed hauling
and the disposal of overburdens. On the third day (June 30, 2016) of the trainees assignment in
MOD, they failed to go to Cabangahan because the assigned shift mining engineer is not present.
So, the trainees were reassigned to Pili and have repeated the job of a Dump truck Checker.
When mined area is declared as mined-out, survey team may start the pit update to start
the rehabilitation of the area. Thats when the Survey Section becomes useful to the MOD. The
survey team will now again survey the area, update the pit as well as the silt ponds, and marks
the crest and toe of the benches forming it.

Mine Engineering Department (MED)

The Mine Engineering Department (MED) is responsible for all the engineering works.
MED has three sections: this includes the Survey Section, Mine Planning Section, and the Grade
Control Section. The Survey Sections primary function is to do all the survey works. The
creation of

Block Models, Long term and Short Term Mine Plans, Operational Plans, and

Design and generates Level Plan are the functions of Mine Planning Section. The Grade Control
Sections job is to make sure that all hauled mineral ore are within the desirable grade.
The Mine Planning Section calculates the remaining mine life based on the blocked
resource and yearly production. During the first day in the Mine Planning Section (June 25,
2016), the supervisor conducted an orientation as to what are the roles and functions of the Mine
Planning Section in the company. On the following day (June 27, 2016), the supervisor
introduced the level plans and showed to the trainees the actual hauling of ores in the Sipangpang

Mining Area. After going in the mine field, the supervisor taught the trainees basic information
and commands in GEMS Surpac and Autocad Civil 3D that are usually used in the making of
level plans. The trainees imported data from Microsoft Excel file to the different software to
generate contour maps.
Data collected by the Survey team is significant to the making of plans thus, making the
Survey Section important to the Mine Planning Section.
In all the departments mentioned above, the Survey Section plays an important role in
the mining industry. Survey Section composed of its team; preferably the instrument man, 2
rodmen and 2 axe men; first go to the site where it is assumed to have a mineral ore wherein they
survey the land. Survey is the act of determining and delineating the form, extent and position of
a tract of land. After surveying and staking points in the proposed area, the GED may get face
samples (FS) in the land surveyed taking it to the Assay Department to know if these ores have a
high or a low grade. Upon knowing its grade and where its location from the data given by the
survey team, the Grade Control assess the grades of the ores supported by the plan from the Mine
Planning, MOD may start its job by hauling these ores. The process repeats and goes on and on
but the survey team after hauling instructed by the MOD, survey again the area to update its new
form after it is being hauled. Therefore, Survey Section is not only limited by giving the exact
points in the location from the map, but also it gives us a new overview of the land after it is
manipulated by the operations done. In short, Survey Section is present from the very beginning
of the operations and still present even after the end. Thats make the survey works important
because without it, operations wouldnt be possible. In MMDC, survey includes topographic
survey and hydrographic survey. Topographic Surveys are used to identify and map the contours
of the ground and existing features on the surface of the earth or slightly above or below the

earth's surface while the Hydrographic Survey involves locating and measuring points under the
sea and on the shore.
On June 24, 2016, the Survey team conducted a hydrographic survey at the MMDCs
causeway. Thus, the trainees were told to observe and participate in the said survey work. The
survey team used the Real Time Kinematics (RTK) instrument to get more accurate data and to
prevent possible errors and outliers. To do this type of surveying technique, the survey team was
divided into two groups and each group has rovers and steel tapes. The survey team used the
MMDCs pump boat to perform the activity. The base was set up near the LCT approximately at
the highest position. The Steel tapes were thrown into the sea to know its depth and in knowing
the distance between points, the rover was used.
The supervisor assigned the trainees into the different mining areas of MMDC. In the
Sipangpang and Cabangahan mining area, topographic surveying and relocation of drilled holes
is the usual survey works.
Topographic Surveys are used to identify and map the contours of the ground and
existing features on the surface of the earth or slightly above or below the earth's surface (i.e.
trees, buildings, streets, walkways, manholes, utility poles, retaining walls, etc.). Since the
purpose of the survey is to serve as a base map for the design of level plans it may be necessary
to show perimeter boundary lines and the lines of easements on or crossing the property being
surveyed, in order for a designer to accurately show zoning and other agency required setbacks.
In the relocation of drilled holes, the method used is traversing. Traversing is the act of marking
the lines, that is, establishing traverse stations and making the necessary observations. It is also

one of the most basic and widely practiced means of determining the relative locations of points.
(Charles Ghilani & Paul Wolf, 2012).
In topographic surveys, Real time Kinematics (RTK) instrument or Total Station (TS) can
be used. The trainees conducted topographic survey using RTK since the work requires a higher
level of accuracy and for speedy job. However, in pit updates the survey team uses Total Station
for faster shots of the benches. On the other hand, in the relocation of drilled holes the instrument
that the survey team uses is the TS. Since, TS are efficient for traversing.
Real Time Kinematics (RTK) instrument is an instrument that uses GPS satellites to
locate the exact position of points. In using RTK instrument, the trainees set up the base at the
highest elevation probably in Pili area where it has wider coverage. After setting up, it is being
localized until the GPS get a fixed signal. It is when the rover is ready to use. When the survey
work is done, the trainees report to the office and download the data collected in the field by the
RTK. The Total Station (TS) is a combination of an electronic distance measurement, electronic
theodolite and a programmed calculator and may be said to be an electronic tacheometer
theodolite. In using TS, the trainees first spread the tripod to its stable position. Then mount the
TS to the tripod. After that, level the instrument then you can now start to use it. When the
trainees arrived in the office, the data collected by the TS will be downloaded and manipulated in
the desired software (Autocad or LisCAd).

IV. Problem Encountered

a. Unexpected changes of weather
b. The instrument used is malfunctioning
c. Lack of instruments

V. Recommendation
To the management of MMDC
The MMDC management should cater the needs of the Survey Section. They should
provide sufficient numbers of instruments for speedy job. They should also know the importance
of Surveying in the mining industry so that the needs of the Survey team will not be taken for
granted.

VI. Conclusion
Survey without an engineer is like surveying but forgetting to really locate the exact
points on the land. Thats why, there should be a Geodetic Engineer (GE) to oversee the survey
works done. A Geodetic Engineer is a person who has scientific training that determines the size
and shape of the Earth and the exact positions of points on its surface and with the description of
variations of its gravity field. He designs and makes maps, and undertakes the surveying of the
land. In a mining industry, a GE undertakes the generation of accurate survey data to be used for
mine planning, exploration, geology, and special projects as needed by the company within
allowable precision and accuracy. He also organizes and orients survey teams on project
objectives and survey schemes before deployment in various areas of work within the mine site.
Maintaining a complete survey data base generated from field pick up points to be used on
survey and mine software is also one of the works of a GE. Lastly, he supervises and computes
periodic ore and waste volume surveys at mine yards, course ore bin (COB marginal ore yard
and mill yard). Few people realize the role that the elements of geodetic engineering have played
in the development of modern civilization. In fact, few schools in the Philippines have offered
this course not knowing its great impact on the society were living. GEs were a great help in

modernizing our society and a big help when it comes to a mining industry. As stated above,
without GEs in a mining industry, mining operations will not be possible.

REFERENCES

BOSSI (Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of NSW). Types of Surveying. Retrieved on
August 1, 2016.
Ghilani, C. and Wolf, P. (2012). Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics (pp. 231).
Isopach Map. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved on August 2, 2016 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopach-Map
Jiskani, I. Importance of Mine Surveying in Mining Industry, pp. 1. Retrieved on August 2, 2016
from https://www.scribd.com/doc/44954072/Importance-of-Mine-Surveying-in-Mining-Industry
Tafesse, W. and Gobena, T. (2005). Lecture Notes for Environmental Health Science Students:
Surveying (pp. 1, 11).