Overview
ISO 22932-1:2020 - Mining - Vocabulary - Part 1: Planning and surveying is the first part of the ISO 22932 series. Published in June 2020, this standard establishes a common vocabulary for terms used specifically in mine planning and surveying. Its scope is limited to terms that have a defined meaning in this field, with definitions, notes and illustrative figures (for examples such as adit, crosscut and drift).
Key topics
The document organizes and standardizes terminology across the full planning and surveying lifecycle. Major subject areas include:
- Planning: general planning terms (mining plan, contingency plan, planning engineer), prospecting and exploration vocabulary (bore journal, reserve classifications: possible, probable, proven), construction and layout terms, and mine closure language (abandoned mine, mine closure planning).
- Exploitation (operational): terms for mine workings and plans (colliery plan, development plan, composite plan), seam and density definitions, and working classifications (disused working, sterilized coal).
- Safety and support disciplines: vocabulary covering safety, rescue and ventilation as they relate to planning and operation.
- Surveying: comprehensive surveying terminology covering reference systems, measurement methods, results, errors, chain surveying, traverse, angular measurement, leveling and instrument centering, photogrammetry, planimetry, and types of survey.
- Mapping: terms related to mapping and cartographic products used during mine planning and operation.
Note: ISO 22932-1:2020 is a vocabulary standard (no normative references) that focuses on clear definitions rather than prescriptive technical requirements.
Practical applications
ISO 22932-1:2020 supports consistent communication and reduces ambiguity in mining projects by providing standardized definitions. Typical uses include:
- Creating clear specifications, reports and mine plans that use consistent terminology.
- Improving communication between multidisciplinary teams: mining engineers, planning engineers, surveyors, geologists, environmental specialists, safety officers and regulators.
- Assisting consultants, educators and students with authoritative definitions for training, documentation and audits.
- Supporting regulatory compliance and permitting where precise terms (e.g., reserve classifications, abandonment, mine closure planning) are required.
Who should use it
- Mining and planning engineers
- Mine surveyors and geospatial specialists
- Geologists and exploration teams
- Environmental and closure planners
- Regulatory authorities and standards developers
- Mining consultants, educators and technical writers
Related standards
- ISO 22932 series (other parts list available on ISO website)
- ISO 20305 (referenced for certain mine-closure and abandoned-mine definitions)
Keywords: ISO 22932-1:2020, mining vocabulary, mine planning, surveying, mining terms, planning and surveying, mine closure, exploration, survey measurement.
