It is recommended that anyone with interest in mine surveying reviews case studies for examples of problems and potential liability issues that may occur in the role. The Gretley Coal Mine Tragedy in 1996 is a good example of the liability of surveyors in mining and how they may be affected in tragic events.

Summary of the case:

November 14, 1996, miners at the Gretley Colliery near Newcastle (NSW) mined into the old workings of an abandoned mine. The old workings had been flooded and therefore caused an inrush of water into the new workings causing the death of four miners.

This disaster was a case of incorrectly positioned map data for the old workings, which had been provided by the NSW Department of Mineral Resources several years earlier. The plans showed the old workings 100 metres further away from the new tunnelling operation than they actually were. As these plans were used by the mine to plan their new workings, they did not realise how close they were mining to the old flooded tunnels. The surveyor at the time the plans were issued had assumed they were accurate, however a new surveyor around the time of the disaster was the one who certified them assuming their accuracy based on the confidence in the plans by previous surveyors and managers. Amongst all the fines issued out of the disaster, the surveyor was fined $30,000.

Some points attributing to the surveyor's fine include:

A surveyor approaching the old plan in respect of the Young Wallsend Colliery, therefore, should have taken account of the following:

• First, it was not the original mine plan, but a copy.
• Secondly, there was no plan of abandonment.
• Thirdly, it was an old plan, not signed, not certified, and drawn at a time when it may or may not have been prepared by someone with qualifications or experience in surveying.
• Fourthly, there were no survey books from which the plan might be verified.
• Fifthly, nothing was known of the history of surveying at the mine.
• Sixthly, there were puzzling and anomalous features in both the black and red workings.
• Finally, there was nothing on the plan to indicate that it was up to date.

Another interesting point regarding surveying from the case:

What significance should attach to the certification of accuracy by a mine surveyor? There was a divergence of views. Some witnesses, including mine managers and surveyors, claimed that they were entitled to accept without investigation all information on a certified plan, so long as the surveyor had not signified that he was in doubt about such information.

No doubt it saves time, and is convenient, to assume that a certified plan is accurate in every detail. However, it is patently less safe to proceed upon the basis of assumption, than upon the basis of an examination and verification of information which is to be relied upon. The Court notes that above ground surveyors, where much less is at stake, do not proceed upon the basis of assumption. Rather, they seek to verify even plans which are certified.

(Source: "Report of a formal investigation under Section 98 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act 1982" by his Honour Acting Judge J.H. Staunton)

A reflection on the case, "The Gretley Coal Mine Disaster: Reflections on the Finding that Mine Managers were to Blame" by Andrew Hopkins, also provides a good overview of the case.
Thing to consider:

Surveying in general is a potentially highly liable occupation. You are responsible for producing accurate plans, observations, assumptions and geospatial analysis and advice at all times, and it is impossible to predict when a disaster might occur as a result of your daily work activities. This should reiterate the fact that being involved in the surveying profession, means being a reliable, accurate, safety conscious worker with attention to detail at all times.