Chief Surveyor

The Opportunity

The Chief Surveyor is responsible for the overall management, planning, execution, and quality control of all mine surveying activities. This role ensures accurate spatial data collection, mine design compliance, legal boundary control, volumetric calculations, and support for safe and efficient mining operations. The Chief Surveyor leads the survey team, oversees survey technologies and systems, and ensures compliance with regulatory, operational, and company standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop mine survey personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, work plans, and performance standards.
• Cook up survey activities with mine planning, geology, engineering, operations, and environmental teams.
• Manage contractor survey services when required.
• Develop and maintain survey procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Plan and oversee all surface and underground survey activities.
• Ensure accurate positioning and control networks are established and maintained.
• Verify mine development and production activities conform to approved mine plans and designs.
• Conduct and review topographic, boundary, construction, and as-built surveys.
• Maintain survey databases, drawings, plans, and spatial records.
• Produce accurate maps, plans, sections, and 3D models.
• Prepare volumetric calculations for ore extraction, stockpiles, waste dumps, and tailings facilities.
• Generate periodic reports for management, regulatory agencies, and technical teams.
• Ensure data integrity and proper document control.
• Manage the use of GNSS/GPS equipment, total stations, laser scanners, drones/UAVs, and other survey technologies.
• Oversee mine surveying software and GIS systems.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and accuracy.
• Ensure proper calibration and maintenance of survey equipment.
• Ensure all survey activities comply with applicable mining laws, regulations, permits, and company policies.
• Maintain legal mine boundaries and property records.
• Support permitting, land management, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Provide survey documentation required for audits and inspections.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Geospatial Science, Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive surveying experience within mining operations.
• 5+ years in a supervisory or leadership role managing survey teams.
• Experience in both surface and underground mining environments.
• Experience with large-scale open pit, underground, or combined mining operations.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining mine control networks.
• Experience supporting mine planning, resource modeling, and production reconciliation.
• Proven experience managing survey databases and spatial information systems.
• Required certifications and licenses include but are not limited to:
• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), Professional Surveyor (PS), Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS), or equivalent registration as required by applicable jurisdiction.
• Valid driver's license.
• Mine site safety training required by local regulations and company standards.
• Advanced proficiency with mine surveying software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, MineSight, Surpac).
• Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS.
• Strong knowledge of GNSS/GPS systems, total stations, laser scanning, and photogrammetry.
• Experience with UAV-based surveying and LiDAR technologies.
• Proficiency in CAD and 3D modeling software.