Chief Underground Surveyor
Our Client team is seeking a Underground Surveyor Supervisor to lead the Underground Survey group for the Underground Mine. Reporting to the UG Chief Mine Engineer, you will lead the underground survey department, manage survey standards and quality control, and provide accurate, timely spatial data to engineering, geology, and operations. This role will ensure that all underground workings, long-hole stopes, and infrastructure are surveyed, mapped, and reported to support safe and efficient mining. The underground is currently in its early development stages and now transitioning from exploration development to capital development. This is a great opportunity for a motivated individual to build the foundation for the underground survey group, standards, and procedures that will be used for the life of mine. Qualified candidates may be eligible for both a sign-on bonus and relocation assistance.
Essential Functions
• Survey Leadership and Team Management
Lead, train, and develop the underground survey team, ensuring consistent technical performance and adherence to best practices. Assign daily and weekly survey tasks aligned with mine planning and production priorities. Maintain a culture of safety, accuracy, and continuous improvement within the survey group.
• Underground Surveying and Data Collection
Establish and maintain underground survey control networks, including primary and secondary control points. Perform development surveys, including heading markups, line and grade, and breakthrough checks. Conduct production surveys for long hole stopes, including collaring, toe checks, and cavity monitoring. Capture as built data for development, infrastructure, and backfill operations.
• Long-hole Stoping Support
Provide precise drill markups for long hole production drilling. Verify stope boundaries, slot raises, and breakthrough locations to minimize dilution and ensure compliance with design. Survey underground backfill boundaries to support geotechnical and engineering QA/QC.
• Data Management and Reporting
Maintain accurate survey databases, digital models, and spatial records. Deliver timely updates to mine engineering, geology, and operations, including 3D models, maps, and progress reports. Support reconciliation of planned vs. actual development and stope performance on a regular cadence as needed (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Technology, Equipment, and Quality Control
Oversee maintenance, calibration, and proper use of survey instruments (total stations, scanners, LiDAR, GPS for surface tie ins). Implement QA/QC procedures for all survey data and deliverables. Evaluate and adopt new survey technologies to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Safety, Compliance, and Regulatory Requirements
Ensure all survey activities comply with MSHA regulations and site safety standards. Participate in underground inspections, hazard identification, and risk assessments. Support environmental and operational compliance through accurate spatial documentation.
Qualifications and Skill Requirements
· Degree or diploma in Surveying, Geomatics, Mining Engineering Technology, or related field (preferred)
· Mine surveyor certification or Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) is preferred but not always required
· 5-10+ years of underground hard-rock surveying experience, with at least 2-3 years in a senior or lead role
· Experience in long-hole stoping environments strongly preferred
· Proficiency with underground survey instruments and software (e.g., Leica, Trimble, Deswik)
· Strong understanding of underground control networks, stope surveying, and 3D modeling
· Ability to interpret engineering designs and mine plans
· Proficient in Microsoft Software
· Strong communication and coordination skills across departments
· Ability to mentor junior surveyors and technicians
· Organized, detailed-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
· Requires a valid driver’s license.