Qualification
3–7 Although the mineral surveyor, as an employee or officer of the Federal Government, is not subject to State laws regulating the practice of land surveying, he will find it advisable to be registered, at least in his home State, if not in other states where he engages in mineral land surveying. Actually, he is only exempt from registration when he is working under a mineral survey order and as such he is limited to work covered by the order. However, the States of California and Nevada specifically permit a United States Mineral Surveyor to make a location survey and to make such survey a part of the record. (Public Resources Code of California, Sec. 2311, and 517.210 R.S. Nevada.) A mineral surveyor would probably not be questioned in other states if he is making an amended location survey or field examination prior to the application for survey. Often, additional work will be required by the claimant and the mineral surveyor will have to refer this work to others or associate with a registered surveyor. Furthermore, if an applicant for appointment is not registered in his home State, the Chief of the Division of Cadastral Survey may require a more extensive examination so as to embrace material normally covered in State examinations.
3–8 Although basically a land surveyor, the mineral surveyor should have a working knowledge of geology, ore deposits and principles of mining in order to properly execute his work. He should also be familiar with the methods of making underground surveys. He may acquire such knowledge informally by reading texts on the subjects and through membership in local mining associations and organizations.
3–9 Applicants for appointment as Mineral Surveyor must pass a 16–hour examination with a grade of 70 consisting essentially of four parts:
1. A solar observation for azimuth consisting of six consecutive readings, with an engineer’s transit or double center theodolite, three each with the telescope in direct and reversed positions observing opposite limbs of the sun; together with the necessary calculations to determine the true meridian. The applicant will furnish the instrument used.
2. Correctly answer questions on the legal and technical aspects of mineral surveys. Such questions may be of the true/false or multiple choice type.
3. Solve a practical problem relating to mining claims, including conflicts, where a set of conditions are given.
4. Prepare a set of field notes and prepare a preliminary plat from given field data.
References and calculators including minicomputers may be used in the examination. It is an open book examination.
The examination will be held in the office of the State Director who made the request, but it is not limited to residents of that State and anyone whose application has been accepted may take the examination at his own expense. Upon successful completion of the examination, the applicant will furnish the names of three references who are familiar with his character, integrity and capability as a surveyor. The examination is prepared by the Washington Office and mailed in a sealed envelope bearing the applicant’s name to the State office. The completed examination is returned to the Washington Office in a sealed envelope for each applicant for grading.