Mine and Engineering Surveying

Course overview

Mine and engineering surveying is a specialised area within engineering and science. Also known as geomatics engineering or geomatics, the profession has a vital role in the resources industry and related infrastructure development.

Mine surveyors are responsible for the measurement, representation and management of data associated with a mining operation. Their core responsibilities include marking, measuring and maintaining mine site surfaces and underground workings. They are also responsible for, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, preparing and updating all mine surveying plans for open pit and underground workings.

Engineering surveyors are integral to the construction industry, ensuring that the locations of civil engineering works are positioned and oriented correctly. Engineering surveying typically precedes construction associated with roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, industrial plants and hydraulic engineering.

In this course, you will gain the skills to become a specialist surveyor with expertise in advanced software and equipment, including GPS and drones, to acquire and process land and satellite data.

Career outcomes

Careers

• Engineering surveyor
• Mine site surveyor

Industries 

• Construction
• Regional development
• Resources and energy
• Mining and minerals

This major also prepares you with the appropriate practical experience for operational management at the quarry manager level.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Graduates meet the education requirements of Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety for certification as an underground or open pit mine surveyor.

Course structure

What you’ll learn

In this course, you’ll learn the scientific principles, methods and advanced technologies of surveying, and how to apply these to industry scenarios – including in land development, construction, mining and mapping.

You’ll learn how to access, evaluate and generate surveying, spatial and related information. You’ll also gain the expertise to recognise, analyse and resolve surveying challenges. These include total stations, satellite and space positioning (for example, GPS), laser scanning, photogrammetry (via drone surveying), geographic information systems (GIS), airborne and marine navigation, digital mapping, satellite and airborne remote sensing, and specialised alignment surveying.

You’ll study the first two years of your course at Curtin Perth and your third year at Curtin Kalgoorlie, where you’ll have opportunities to engage with industry practices.

Detailed course structure and unit information

For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.

Entry requirements

To apply for entry into this course, you must have met:

• the course ATAR (Australian Tertiary Academic Rank) or equivalent recognised overseas qualification
• any course-specific requirements
• the English language requirement.

Academic equivalences

Course-specific requirements

You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.

Get credit towards your degree

You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Check the Handbook for course-specific details about credits.

Additional information