SERVICES

Surface and Underground Mine Surveying

Claim Staking, Surveys, Mapping, Modeling, and More for Lithium and Other Critical Mineral Deposits

Geospatial specialists at Darling Geomatics offer mine surveying services such as claim staking, mapping, modeling, volume calculation, construction verification, and more for lithium and other critical mineral deposits. Mine surveyors play a crucial role in mining, ensuring precise measurement, mapping, and spatial data collection. Surveyors at mine sites are responsible for accurately measuring and documenting the physical characteristics of the site and contributing to environmental and safety compliance. Their work is critical for the successful and sustainable management of mining activities.

Darling Geomatics has decades of experience in surface and underground mining and is trusted by some of the world’s top mining companies. Here are some of the key tasks and responsibilities that we offer:

Claim Staking and Marking:

• Coordinate with customers to perform land status reviews, prepare claim notices and maps, and stake placer, lode or mill claims throughout the western USA.   File claim notices with BLM and county, if requested.
• Install survey markers, stakes, and monuments to establish reference points and control points for future surveys.

Site Mapping and Topographic Surveys:

• Conduct topographic surveys to create accurate maps of the mine site, including surface features, elevation changes, and natural landmarks.
• Generate contour maps to assist in mine planning and design.

Boundary Surveys:

• Define and mark property boundaries to prevent encroachment issues with neighboring landowners.

Construction Layout and Verification:

• Provide precise location data for the construction of mine infrastructure including roads, buildings, conveyors, and additional aspects of mining and processing facilities.
• Ensure that structures are built in accordance with design plans.

Volume Calculations:

• Calculate stockpile volumes of materials including ore, waste rock and tailings to monitor inventory and production.

Monitoring Deformation and Settlement:

• Monitor ground movement, subsidence, and settlement to ensure the safety of mine operations and nearby infrastructure.

Tunnel and Shaft Surveys:

• Survey underground tunnels, shafts, and galleries with conventional land surveying equipment as well as drones and LiDAR to accurately map the subsurface mine workings.

Drill Hole Surveys:

• Measure and record the exact coordinates and angles of drill holes for drilling and blasting operations.

GIS (Geographic Information System) Data Management:

• Create and maintain a digital database of spatial information, allowing for better data analysis and decision-making.

3D Modeling and Visualization:

• Generate 3D models of the mine site and its features to aid in mine planning, design, upgrades and communication.

Aerial Surveys with Drones:

• Capture high-resolution aerial imagery and generate 3D models for accurate mapping and volume calculations.

LiDAR Surveys:

• Employ terrestrial and drone-based LiDAR technology for detailed mapping and monitoring of mine sites, including open-pit and underground areas.

Safety and Environmental Compliance:

• Ensure that mining activities comply with safety regulations and environmental standards.
• Provide data for the development of safety plans and emergency response procedures.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Process survey data using specialized software to create maps, reports, and data visualizations.
• Provide accurate and up-to-date information to mine management for decision-making.

Engineering Grade Deliverables:

• Work closely with mining engineers and geologists to ensure that survey data supports mine planning and resource estimation.

Legal Documentation:

• Prepare legal documents, such as records of survey, mine claim notices, that may be required for regulatory compliance.

Trusted Mine Surveyors Put Safety First

Our ability to use high tech tools including drones and LiDAR to collect surveying data helps increase safety because we can survey from a distance, eliminating the need to place people and equipment in dangerous situations.

Mining Experience Combined with the Right Technology

Our team of professional, registered surveyors has decades of mining experience worldwide and selects the best tools to save you time and money by doing the job right the first time. We offer a one stop, multi-disciplined approach that integrates precision surveying techniques, 3D laser scanning and drone Geographic Information System (GIS) data collection.  Our extensive mine surveying experience delivers accurate georeferenced measurements for your projects. Based on your specific needs and requirements, our experts select the best surveying technology for the project ranging from subcentimeter or submillimeter LiDAR, fixed wing and quadcopter UAVs, laser trackers and robotic total stations to conventional subcentimeter GPS survey instruments.

Subcentimeter or Submillimeter Survey-grade Accuracy

Mine surveyors are responsible for delivering accurate measurements.  Survey-grade ground control and specialized measurement equipment allow us to deliver sub-centimeter and if necessary, submillimeter accuracy.

Read About Our Recent Projects

• Using Drones + LiDAR to Map 3D Models of a Gold Mine
• A Return to Operations: LiDAR Used to Create Digital Twins for Copper Mining Facility
• Open-Pit Mine Owner Uses Hyperspectral and LiDAR Imaging from a Drone to Rapidly Reveal Mineralogical Data Recovery Potential for Mine

Affiliations

Darling Geomatics is proud to be a member of the following: