Chief Surveyor - Underground Operations

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health and retirement benefits

Professional development and training

Access to state-of-the-art surveying设备

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chief Surveyor to oversee underground surveying for Durban-area mining projects. You will lead a team of survey technicians, establish control networks, and monitor ground movement to support safe and efficient extraction.

You will operate advanced instruments, process survey data into mine plans and cross-sections, and collaborate with mine planning and engineering to ensure alignment with design. Strong leadership and underground geomatics expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Surveying/Geomatics or related field.
• 8+ years of mine surveying experience, with extensive underground exposure.
• Proficient with AutoCAD, Vulcan or similar surveying software.
• Experience in digital survey data management and QC procedures.
• Strong mine planning knowledge and direct team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish control networks and monitor ground movement in underground operations.
• Operate and maintain total stations, GPS receivers, and laser scanners.
• Process survey data to produce mine plans, cross-sections, and volumes.
• Collaborate with mine planners/engineers to align survey data with design.
• Supervise and train survey technicians to high accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and survey standards.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Underground surveying

Geomatics

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Surveying

Tools

AutoCAD

Vulcan

Total stations

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chief Surveyor to oversee all survey operations for their underground mining projects in the Durban vicinity. This is a key role responsible for ensuring accurate spatial data, establishing control points, and monitoring mine development to support safe and efficient extraction. You will lead a team of survey technicians, utilize advanced surveying equipment and software, and collaborate closely with mine planning, engineering, and production departments. This position offers the opportunity to work on significant underground mining initiatives, contributing to precise mine planning and execution in a challenging and rewarding environment, leveraging expertise in geomatics and underground surveying techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and execute all underground surveying tasks, including establishing control networks, setting out workings, and monitoring ground movement.
• Operate and maintain advanced surveying instruments such as total stations, GPS receivers, and laser scanners.
• Process and analyze survey data using specialized software to produce accurate mine plans, cross-sections, and volumetric calculations.
• Collaborate with mine planners and engineers to ensure alignment between survey data and mine design.
• Supervise and train a team of survey technicians, ensuring high standards of accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety regulations and company survey standards for underground operations.

Requirements

• National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Surveying, Geomatics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in mine surveying, with a significant portion in underground environments.
• Proficiency in surveying software packages such as AutoCAD, Vulcan, or similar.
• Experience with digital survey data management and quality control procedures.
• Strong understanding of mine planning principles and geological structures.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Opportunity for professional development and specialized training.
• Access to state-of-the‑art surveying technology and equipment.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment within a leading mining operation.