Minerals Surveyor
What is the work like?
Minerals surveyors use their expertise to find out whether a potential mining, quarrying or landfill site can be commercially exploited. If work goes ahead, minerals surveyors manage the site, value its assets and deal with ownership rights.
As a minerals surveyor, your work would focus on five main areas:
- feasibility studies – carrying out initial surveys and environmental impact assessments on potential sites to assess whether plans are workable
- mining and mineral rights – researching land and tax records to establish site ownership and access; preparing planning applications, valuing deposits and negotiating contracts to buy or lease sites
- site and deposit surveying – charting surface areas with global positioning systems (GPS); interpreting rock sample data; and building accurate 3-D site models, using digital imaging, laser technology and computer-aided design software
- mapping (known as 'mine cartography') – producing site maps, including mine structures and deposit layers, using geographic information systems (GIS); and updating maps during a mine's development
- geomechanics – investigating rock structures and ground movements to spot potential hazards and instability, and to carry out risk assessments.
Once a site is exhausted, you would work closely with mining engineers, development surveyors and planners to work out the best way to restore the land. This may mean trying to recreate the original habitat or turning over the area to leisure, industry or commercial use. It could also involve decontaminating affected areas before restoration.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You normally need a degree or professional qualification accredited by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to become a minerals surveyor.
You can choose from a range of relevant degree subjects including:
- minerals surveying
- mining engineering
- surveying
- civil engineering
- geomatics.
If you have a non-accredited degree, you will need to take a postgraduate course in surveying. You can do this through a graduate traineeship once working or by studying full-time at an accredited university. If you are working in mining or minerals, you could also take a distance learning postgraduate conversion course with the College of Estate Management (CEM).
If you have a BTEC HNC/HND or foundation degree in surveying, you may be able to work as a surveying technician whilst taking further study to fully qualify. See the profile for Technical Surveyor.
You are likely to need a driving licence to travel to sites around the country.
You can find more information about careers and qualifications through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chartered Institute of Building's (CIOB) Faculty for Architecture and Surveying.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working, you should continue to update your knowledge and skills. You would normally do this by working towards chartered status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building's (CIOB) Faculty for Architecture and Surveying.
To qualify for chartered status through the RICS, you must complete the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) while you are working. You have to record at least two years' experience and pass an interview with a panel of assessors.
If you want to apply for CIOB chartered status, you will need an accredited honours degree and two years' relevant work experience.
As a minerals surveyor, you could work towards NVQ Level 4 in Valuation and/or Spatial Data Management.
You could also specialise in waste management and environmental engineering. See the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) for a range of training courses in these fields.
Where can I go for more information?
9 Saxon CourtSt Peter’s Gardens
Marefair
Northampton
NN1 1SX
Tel: 01604 620426
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AW
Tel: 0800 019 9697
Kings Ride
Ascot
Berkshire
SL5 7TB
Tel: 01344 630700
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JE
Tel: 0870 333 1600
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries for newly qualified minerals surveyors start between £20,000 and £23,000.
- Experienced surveyors can earn between £24,000 and £36,000.
- Chartered minerals surveyors can earn up to £50,000.
Salaries for minerals surveyors working overseas tend to be higher on average than the figures above.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 35 to 40 hours a week. Early starts, late finishes and weekend work may be needed to meet deadlines.
Your work will be split between the office and site. The nature of the job means that you may need to work away from home at times, depending on the site location.
Surface sites are subject to all weather conditions and will be noisy, dusty and dirty. If you are working underground, conditions may be damp and also cramped at times. Safety regulations in mine workings must be strictly observed so you will use protective clothing and equipment when on site.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an excellent knowledge of geology
- familiarity with surveying technology and CAD programs
- excellent maths, science and IT skills, particularly databases
- strong analytical skills and a creative approach to problem solving
- the ability to work to a high degree of accuracy
- the ability to analyse and interpret graphical data
- strong communication, negotiating and presentation skills
- the ability to prioritise and plan effectively
- a willingness to keep up to date with new developments
- the ability to work as part of a team
- a comprehensive knowledge of planning and environmental regulations, and health and safety.
What opportunities are there?
This particular field of surveying is relatively small in the UK but the RICS outlook points to modest growth in minerals and mining work over the next few years. The outlook for surveyors involved in environmental aspects of the job is forecast to grow more rapidly (see below).
Your main job opportunities will be with private coal mining and quarrying companies, mineral estate owners, HM Customs and Revenue’s Mineral Valuations Office and local authorities. You may be able to work as a consultant, surveying and managing mineral estates on behalf of mining companies or large landowners. With experience, you could also find opportunities overseas, for example in the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
National and European directives covering waste and pollution management, and recycling are likely to increase the scope for working in waste management, pollution control and land remediation (restoration when mine workings end). You may also find opportunities in related branches of surveying such as land surveying, and planning and development.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
RICS Recruit
Hays Recruitment
Minerals UK (British Geological Survey site)
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