120 years of education for mine surveyors in South Africa: A framework for the mine survey profession

Abstract

The first formalised training for Mining Engineers and Mine Surveyors offered in South Africa was introduced in 1895 at the Kimberley school of Mines. This means that the education of Mining engineers and Mine Surveyors in South Africa has continued uninterrupted for 120 years. History indicates that the University of Witwatersrand, University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg has a common origin in the Kimberly School of Mines. The Institute of Mine Surveyors of South Africa (IMSSA) celebrated its 90th Annual General Meeting during September 2012. Mine Surveying is a well-established but little known profession in South Africa. The profession has seen a number of changes brought about by war, political changes and changes in the mining industry during this period. This paper provides a short history of the development of the three institutions involved with undergraduate teaching in the field of mining engineering and Mine Surveying. The paper continues to outline the progression of education models in the field of mine surveying since the establishment of the original School of Mines to the current date. The paper concludes by discussing how the legacy of these education models can be transformed into a set of qualifications that will benefit all those who choose to pursue Mine Surveying as a profession.