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The profession of the mine surveyor reaches back regionally to the 13th century. First mine maps based on surveys are known from the 16th century. The technical development starting in the 18th century required a focused education and led to the foundation of mining academies (Bergakademien) across Europe. Since then there has been a close relationship in education and research between those academies, in particular between Austria and Germany. The newly established joint MSc programme 'Geomatics for Mineral Resource Management' continues this tradition and offers a modern and attractive international study programme in the traditional field of mine surveying. This contribution first reviews briefly the history in mine surveying education in Austria and Germany followed by a summary of the concept of the newly established international program., The profession of the mine surveyor reaches back regionally to the 13th century. First mine maps based on surveys are known from the 16th century. The technical development starting in the 18th century required a focused education and led to the foundation of mining academies (Bergakademien) across Europe. Since then there has been a close relationship in education and research between those academies, in particular between Austria and Germany. The newly established joint MSc programme 'Geomatics for Mineral Resource Management' continues this tradition and offers a modern and attractive international study programme in the traditional field of mine surveying. This contribution first reviews briefly the history in mine surveying education in Austria and Germany followed by a summary of the concept of the newly established international program.

The mineral extractive industries show features that require co-ordination of economic, environmental and social interests, with a need to guarantee safety, high levels of environmental protection and the competitiveness of the industry. This requires comprehensive assessment of sites, where it has to be taken into account that minerals are restricted to particular locations. Lack of integrated land-use planning can lead to fragmented development and loss of access to valuable deposits, with adverse effects on the sustainability of supply. The objective of a competent assessment methodology is to ensure that environment and economics conform with one another. Methodologies from Upper Austria, Bavaria in Germany and Aargau in Switzerland are described., The mineral extractive industries show features that require co-ordination of economic, environmental and social interests, with a need to guarantee safety, high levels of environmental protection and the competitiveness of the industry. This requires comprehensive assessment of sites, where it has to be taken into account that minerals are restricted to particular locations. Lack of integrated land-use planning can lead to fragmented development and loss of access to valuable deposits, with adverse effects on the sustainability of supply. The objective of a competent assessment methodology is to ensure that environment and economics conform with one another. Methodologies from Upper Austria, Bavaria in Germany and Aargau in Switzerland are described.

The mine surveyor is likely to be involved in many stages of mining projects and to act as mediator between different disciplines. The modern requirements and professional fields of mine surveyors have been taken into account in the development of courses at the mine surveying institutes of Aachen and Leoben. Of prime importance is that the mineral resources manager should combine the five main competences of subsidence engineering, mineral resource handling, geo-data management, authority hearings and mine surveying/geotechnical measurements. Examples of research projects at the two institutes also show the international nature of the resource manager's activities., The mine surveyor is likely to be involved in many stages of mining projects and to act as mediator between different disciplines. The modern requirements and professional fields of mine surveyors have been taken into account in the development of courses at the mine surveying institutes of Aachen and Leoben. Of prime importance is that the mineral resources manager should combine the five main competences of subsidence engineering, mineral resource handling, geo-data management, authority hearings and mine surveying/geotechnical measurements. Examples of research projects at the two institutes also show the international nature of the resource manager's activities.

The use is described of hydrographic techniques for surveying the slopes and bottoms of rivers and open pits in the extraction of sand and gravel from water bodies. The measurements can be combined with conventional surveying information to create 3-D models and to assess the current conditions in rivers., The use is described of hydrographic techniques for surveying the slopes and bottoms of rivers and open pits in the extraction of sand and gravel from water bodies. The measurements can be combined with conventional surveying information to create 3-D models and to assess the current conditions in rivers.

Hydrographic measuring systems have been developed from the original maritime range into the range of the inland waters; surveying by hydrographic measuring methods has also recently been used in the extraction of minerals from groundwater and running waters. Discussion is presented of hydrographic survey systems including sonar, sidescan sonar, echo location, and acoustic doppler current profiling (ADCP). Some examples for applications to river engineering and wet extraction are given, including hydraulic engineering and dredging for the reclamation of the area around the Danube Wallsee power station in Austria., Hydrographic measuring systems have been developed from the original maritime range into the range of the inland waters; surveying by hydrographic measuring methods has also recently been used in the extraction of minerals from groundwater and running waters. Discussion is presented of hydrographic survey systems including sonar, sidescan sonar, echo location, and acoustic doppler current profiling (ADCP). Some examples for applications to river engineering and wet extraction are given, including hydraulic engineering and dredging for the reclamation of the area around the Danube Wallsee power station in Austria.

Operational activities which result in production down times should be carried out during periods of high electricity prices in order to reduce overall energy costs. A case study is presented for the Garzweiler open-cast lignite mine in Germany where the possibility of scheduling activities in relation to fluctuations in electricity prices was investigated and successfully implemented as part of the planning process., Operational activities which result in production down times should be carried out during periods of high electricity prices in order to reduce overall energy costs. A case study is presented for the Garzweiler open-cast lignite mine in Germany where the possibility of scheduling activities in relation to fluctuations in electricity prices was investigated and successfully implemented as part of the planning process.

The basic principles are described of mine surveying in relation to slope monitoring, and the regulatory framework and relevant technical standards are discussed. Stabilisation methods for surveying points and net configurations are considered., The basic principles are described of mine surveying in relation to slope monitoring, and the regulatory framework and relevant technical standards are discussed. Stabilisation methods for surveying points and net configurations are considered.

The precision of electrooptical distance measurements in mines is limited because frequently surface values are used in underground conditions and these are mostly not compatible. Failure to consider underground mining's active influences like carbon dioxide and methane content causes systematic failures in distance measurements. An investigation into systematic partial failures caused by carbon dioxide and methane can lead to a better understanding of mining specific conditions and so increase accuracy in distance measurement., The precision of electrooptical distance measurements in mines is limited because frequently surface values are used in underground conditions and these are mostly not compatible. Failure to consider underground mining's active influences like carbon dioxide and methane content causes systematic failures in distance measurements. An investigation into systematic partial failures caused by carbon dioxide and methane can lead to a better understanding of mining specific conditions and so increase accuracy in distance measurement.