In underground mining operations worldwide, gradeline establishment and control is a fundamental responsibility of the Mine Surveyor, not just a site marking exercise. As Mine Surveyors, we are responsible for translating approved mine designs, levels, and gradients into the underground environment in accordance with global mining standards and best practice (ICMM principles and internationally recognised QA/QC systems). The gradeline shown here supports key surveying and operational outcomes: 🔹 Accurate development control – Ensuring drives, declines, and crosscuts are excavated to design line and level 🔹 Design compliance and verification – Providing a continuous visual reference for checking conformance and identifying deviations early 🔹 Effective water management – Maintaining correct gradients for drainage and long-term asset integrity 🔹 Safety and risk management – Reducing overbreak, underbreak, rework, and geotechnical exposure 🔹 Operational consistency – Enabling clear communication of survey intent across crews, shifts, and contractors In constrained underground environments, gradelines represent the direct interface between survey control, engineering intent, and excavation execution. Their accuracy directly reflects the quality, accountability, and professionalism of the Mine Survey function. Whether operating in Africa, Australia, or any global mining jurisdiction, precise gradeline control remains a core surveying duty that underpins safe, efficient, and compliant underground mining.