Young people studying mine surveying have been tipped to play a central role in shaping the future of the profession in Zimbabwe, with the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) calling for more student participation as it builds a stronger, forward-looking industry, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking on the sidelines of a well-attended AMSZ technical visit to Blanket Mine in Gwanda on Friday, AMSZ Secretary General Takunda Paul Mubaiwa said students are not only the future of surveying but the carriers of innovation, energy, and modern ideals that can help elevate Zimbabwe’s mining industry—provided they are guided and empowered by industry veterans.
“We rely on young people for growth, continuity, innovation—even for the energy they bring. We prioritise students to the core,” Mubaiwa said.
From Learners to Leaders: AMSZ Opens Doors for Survey Students
Mubaiwa said AMSZ is committed to ensuring that Zimbabwean students receive training that matches international standards, with a deliberate focus on closing the gap between academic learning and practical application.
“As students go through attachments and industrial training, we want them to gain the best practices—not just textbook theory, but knowledge from those already on the ground,” he said.
Through AMSZ events, students are given rare access to industry networks, exposure to modern technologies, and practical insights that can define their career paths early on. Mubaiwa said this platform gives students direct guidance on the various streams within surveying—from mine planning to resource modelling, equipment procurement, and even compliance.
More Than Just Jobs: Opening the Path to Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Mubaiwa challenged students to think beyond employment, noting that mine surveying is evolving and no longer just about working underground or producing plans. With digitalisation and data science increasingly driving decisions in mining, Mubaiwa said the youth can lead in developing software, hardware, and new tools for the sector.
“Some students still think the diploma ends in a job. But we are saying, you can go into consultancy, you can develop software, you can manufacture survey-grade tools and drones. AMSZ will help you connect with those already doing it—locally and regionally,” he said.
The Future Surveyor: From Data Collectors to Decision Enablers
Today’s surveyors are expected to do more than generate plans—they must collect, process, and integrate data into systems that influence the financial bottom line of mining operations. Mubaiwa said that’s why students must engage early with professionals, systems, and tools that define modern practice.
He cited Blanket Mine’s integration of JSWIC, a software system that pools data from multiple departments, as a great example of how mine surveyors are central to real-time decision-making and cost control.
“Surveyors now influence business outcomes. It’s no longer just coordinates. It’s about how the data you generate feeds into planning, production, and dollars.”
A Call to Action
Mubaiwa said AMSZ is actively encouraging more student membership, noting that students who join benefit from:
Exposure to current technologies through field visits
Mentorship from seasoned professionals
Early access to career pathways and entrepreneurial support
Opportunities to attend local and regional conferences
“The advantages are plenty,” Mubaiwa said. “You get to learn from the people who are already doing what you want to do. Some of the most valuable knowledge is not in books—it’s in the stories, systems, and mistakes of those who’ve gone before you.”
As Zimbabwe’s mining sector becomes more competitive, data-driven, and regulated, the role of the surveyor will only grow in importance. Students willing to engage early—through organisations like AMSZ—will not only be better prepared for the future but positioned to lead it.
