Case studies: Mineral surveyor: Neil Dolan

Neil Dolan is a mineral surveyor working for chartered surveyors in the private sector.

After completing my degree in rural resource management I applied for a load of graduate positions in various professions linked to my degree. It was an organisation that approached the university for graduates that I was eventually successful in obtaining a graduate position with in the mineral surveying profession.

The degree I had taken was certainly relevant, and indeed critical to gaining the graduate position at the time. I’m currently looking at studying a specific mineral surveying qualification to provide me with some additional academic learning to support my experiences I’ve gained through work.

A typical day involves compiling and submitting mineral and waste planning applications, working on planning appeals, applications for permits, working with policy and development frameworks, carrying out valuations and general mineral estate management.

The role has certainly developed since I graduated, and I’m now much more involved in all environmental aspects from carrying out environmental impact assessments, applications for environmental permits and exceptions, and specialist environmental planning applications. I really see my career continuing to develop in this profession, maybe moving towards mineral planning.

As you can see it’s a very varied role, but it’s what makes the work so interesting, and it’s what I enjoy most about the job. However I do find working with planning authorities quite challenging, and environmental assessments can be a challenge in themselves!

My advice for anyone interested in mineral surveying as a career is to have a real interest in this area of work, as it is very different to general practice surveying, although I find it a profession that is varied, ever changing, and regardless of the economic climate has good opportunities in both the public and private sectors.