Senior Surveyor
Salary £ 45,000 - 50,000
South Crofty Mine
Vacancy listed 24/04/2026
Application deadline 22/05/2026
Details
The Company

Cornish Metals is an AIM listed Company working towards re-opening the 100% owned and fully permitted South Crofty underground tin mine in Pool, Cornwall.  

In March 2025, we raised £57.4 million, anchored by the UK’s National Wealth Fund and Vision Blue Resources to advance South Crofty towards tin production once again.  Tin is essential for electronics, renewable energy, and modern technology and demand is projected to increase by 30% in the next decade.

We are committed to ethical, responsible and domestic tin production and are proud to have strong local and national support.

Role requirements

The Mine Surveyor is responsible for carrying out accurate surveying activities to support the safe, efficient, and compliant extraction of tin ore. The role provides essential spatial data for mine planning, production measurement, and operational control, working closely with mining, geology, and engineering teams.

Cornish Metals is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace.  A copy of our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy is available on request.

Principle responsibilities/role tasks

Specific duties as part of the role include, but are not limited to, the following:-

  • Assist the Chief Surveyor in the production of working plans for the mine.
  • Help coordinate both surface and underground activities of the survey department to be compatible with the underground mine and surface projects
  • Assist with the fulfilling of statutory responsibilities of the survey department.
  • Assist with accident/emergency surveys when required.
  • Ensure underground survey work is carried out to the prescribed safety standards.
  • Ensure Risk Assessments are: 
        o  Provided for each task undertaken at the mine. 
        o  Issued to persons undertaking the task/s. 
        o  Reviewed periodically, or as circumstances dictate.  

  • Communicate with and help to organise the work of the Survey Department in updating the mine plan.
  • Assist with the carrying out of Statutory/Check surveys to comply with and are in accordance with The Mines Regulations 2014.
  • Ensure that plans are prepared in a timely manner to the required accuracy and meet the regulatory standards.
  • Support and encourage the use of new systems and techniques by other people in the department.
  • Support the work of the production teams by providing technical assistance.

Surveying & Measurement

  • Conduct routine surface and/or underground surveying to support mining operations.
  • Set out mine designs including development headings, stopes, pits, drill patterns, and infrastructure.
  • Carry out production and volumetric surveys to measure ore and waste movement.
  • Establish, maintain, and check survey control points and reference networks.
  • Ensure all survey measurements meet required accuracy and quality standards.

Mine Plans & Data Management

  • Prepare and update mine plans, sections, and drawings in accordance with operational requirements.
  • Capture, process, and manage survey data using appropriate software and systems.
  • Ensure survey data is correctly integrated with geological and mine planning information.
  • Maintain accurate survey records and documentation.

Operational Support

  • Provide timely and accurate survey information to mining and technical teams.
  • Support short‑term mine planning and daily production activities.
  • Assist with reconciliation between survey measurements and production data.
  • Identify and report discrepancies or potential issues affecting mine layouts or safety.

Safety & Compliance

  • Carry out surveying work in compliance with mine safety systems and procedures.
  • Participate in risk assessments and follow safe systems of work at all times.
  • Ensure survey activities comply with relevant mining legislation and survey standards.
  • Report hazards, incidents, or unsafe ground conditions observed during site activities.

Teamwork & Development

  • Work collaboratively with survey, geology, mining, and engineering teams.
  • Assist senior surveyors and the Chief Surveyor as required.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of survey methods and practices.
  • Maintain and develop professional surveying skills and competencies.

Cornish Metals is an equal opportunities employer and reasonable adjustments will be provided. 

Working Environment 

This is an on-site role based at South Crofty mine.   While mainly desk based, it will involve some/regular movement around the site, including underground, for meetings, training and project related activities as well as occasional external meetings across the UK.

Underground Conditions

  • Lighting is limited; headlamps are often the only light source.
  • Conditions are wet and muddy, including water from above and slippery, uneven ground underfoot.
  • Close contact with muddy and ochre‑stained equipment and rock is common.
  • Temperatures vary significantly: as low as 2°C in shallow areas and up to 30°C in deep workings.
  • High humidity (up to 100%) and frequent draughts due to ventilation.
  • Terrain includes steep gradients, loose ground, and confined spaces.
  • The environment is often very noisy, requiring regular hearing protection.

Access & Underground Movement

  • Main access is via an 8‑person cage in an 800m‑deep shaft.
  • A secondary emergency “bullet cage” (4-person, 800mm diameter) is also used.
  • Spaces can be narrow with restricted height, requiring comfort in confined areas.

Physical & Safety Requirements

  • Ability to climb ladders in dark, wet conditions.
  • Good level of physical fitness for manual handling and movement across difficult terrain.
  • Ability to ride in small, confined shaft cages.
  • Must wear and operate fall‑arrest harnesses and restraint equipment.
  • Frequent work at height, including on ropes and fall‑restraint systems.
  • Required participation in regular health assessments.

Key relationships

The role will report to the Chief Surveyor, but there will be frequent interaction with the Technical Services Manager, Chief Geologist, Engineering Manager, & Mine Manager, as well as other members of the South Crofty management team.

External relationships will include local communities, and external contractors.

Skills and experience

The key skills and experience which are expected for this role are:

Essential

  • Qualification in Mine Surveying, Surveying, or a related discipline.
  • Experience in mining or heavy industrial surveying (hard‑rock mining preferred).
  • Competence with modern survey equipment (total stations, GPS/GNSS).
  • Basic proficiency in mine surveying and CAD software (e.g. Surpac, Deswik, MineSight, or similar).
  • Strong understanding of survey accuracy, control, and data integrity.

Desirable

  • Experience in underground mining.
  • Progress toward professional surveying accreditation.
  • Familiarity with laser scanning or drone surveying technologies.

Skills & Competencies

  • High attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Strong spatial awareness and problem‑solving skills.
  • Practical, safety‑focused approach to site work.
  • Ability to work effectively in a production‑driven environment.
  • Good communication and teamwork skills.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours as required by operations.
 
Hours of work and work location

Full Time 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm.  Some event participation may be required outside of these hours.  Part time will be considered, minimum of 30 hours.

Benefits

• Health & Dental Cashback
• Life Insurance
• Enhanced parental leave and sick pay
• Income protection insurance
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Personal days

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