ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and evaluate the criteria

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to surface mining ground control and slope stability

1.2. Identify, access and interpret mine survey data and historical information relating to the mine site

1.3. If required identify the necessary resources required to assess ground control and slope stability issues

1.4. Review actual and predicted ground control and slope stability performance in the mine

1.5. Establish the criteria for establishing ground control and slope stability to acceptable performance levels

1.6. Assess risks, determine acceptable levels of risk and identify critical issues related to ground control and stability systems in the mine

2. Identify and evaluate geological and geotechnical information

2.1. Identify all relevant geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological data

2.2. Arrange further exploration, monitoring, sampling or testing to assist assessment of ground control and slope stability issues

2.3. Assess potential ground movement and slope instability situations

2.4. Identify and evaluate overburden and inter-seam characteristics and physical properties

2.5. Where appropriate identify and evaluate stress regimes, blast vibration, seismic activity etc

3. Identify and evaluate mining engineering methods

3.1. Evaluate mining system types and methods impact on ground control and slope stability

3.2. Identify potential layouts to improve ground control and slope stability from engineering analysis

3.3. Identify and evaluate mining constraints impacting on the development of ground control and slope stability options

3.4. Identify and evaluate equipment requirements, appropriate for the development and maintenance of ground control and slope stability

4. Identify and evaluate control options

4.1. Identify water control methods to improve ground control or slope stability

4.2. Identify and evaluate ground support systems or methods of mining to provide appropriate ground control and slope stability

4.3. Identify and evaluate ground support installation, monitoring and assessment systems

4.4. Identify and evaluate management controls should unacceptable ground movement or slope instability occur

5. Establish the ground control and slope stability system

5.1. Establish exploration programs identifying geological features and characteristics impacting on ground control and slope stability

5.2. Establish methods of safe access and egress.

5.3. Establish systems and sequences of safe mining

5.4. Establish monitoring systems of ground movement and slope instability to warn, control operations and record events.

5.5. Establish a program, including systems and procedures to satisfy identified training requirements

5.6. Establish emergency response and evacuation plans and procedures in accordance with site requirements

5.7. Establish safe operating procedures and ensure incorporation into site documentation

6. Audit and review the effectiveness of the system

6.1. Monitor ground movement and slope stability measurements against defined acceptable standards for compliance with statutory and site requirements

6.2. Audit emergency response and evacuation plans and procedures for compliance with site requirements

6.3. Identify, assess and incorporate future site mining requirements into the planning procedures to maintain appropriate standard of the ground control and slope stability system

6.4. Establish procedures for response to instances of non-compliance or other discrepancies/deficiencies revealed by audit

6.5. Regularly review performance of the ground control and slop stability system

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to establish and maintain surface mining ground control and slope stability systems:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

access, interpret and apply technical information

access, interpret and apply mine survey information

access and analyse archival and historical failure information related to the mine

interpret and apply mathematical and scientific theorems/laws related to ground control and slope stability

perform mathematical calculations

interpret and apply design criteria for ground control and slope stability systems

interpret computer spreadsheets and mining systems modelling/simulations

collect, collate and interpret mining data

apply procedures for preparing technical procedures

apply procedures for conducting enquiries/investigations and preparing reports

apply effective communications

access and interpret data from monitoring systems and equipment

analyse and report on ground control and slope stability system training needs

apply risk management processes and techniques

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to establish and maintain surface mining ground control and slope stability systems:

audit methodologies

exploration techniques

factors of safety

ground support methods and systems

legislative and statutory requirements for mining structures including mine plans, ground support and safety management systems

mine planning and design

mine surveying

mining and general engineering principles

mining structure failure modes

rock types and characteristics

slope stability criteria

stress analysis including mining induced stress, vertical and horizontal stress tectonics

systems of work

the systems of mining including ore body development

training systems

emergency response and evacuation planning processes and techniques

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for the establishment and maintenance of surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient establishment and maintenance of surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

the identification of viable options and the selection of systems that best meet the required outcomes

working with others to establish and maintain surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

consistent and timely establishment and maintenance of surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of the required outcomes

identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required

identification of viable options and the selection of surface mining ground control and slope stability systems that best meet the required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial and documentary evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

consistent and timely gaining of approval of surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

provision of clear, timely required support and advice on the implementation of surface mining ground control and slope stability systems

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation

may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

codes of practice

Employment and Workplace Relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Mine site historical information may include:

existence of previous workings within the mine

hydrology

over and underlying rock types

permeability of rocks and faults

physical property testing results of rock, overburden, underburden materials

seismic activity

sedimentology aspects of the mine site relating to subsidence

fissures and water sources

water pumped from mine

Resources may include:

skilled personnel

bolts, cable and grout

face drilling equipment

power systems

mine services

special application equipment

budgetary requirements

geologists, hydrogeologists, geotechnicians, mine planners

Risk is defined as:

the chance of something happening that will have an impact upon objectives. It is measured in terms of consequences and likelihood

Geological and hydrogeological information includes that related to:

direction and competency of faults

joints, cleats or other fractures

induced collapse

intrusions and deformities

over and underlying rock types, inter-seams

permeability of rocks and faults

physical properties of all materials in ground, dump or slope

subsidence

fissures and water sources

weak zones within operating faces, permanent batters, dumping slopes

Stress includes:

horizontal and vertical tectonic induced stress

mining induced stress

primary and secondary stress fields

Safe operating procedures are also known as:

safe working procedures, standard operating procedures (SOP) and standard working procedures

Audit is defined as:

a systematic examination against defined criteria to determine whether activities and related results conform to planned arrangement, and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve the organisation's policy and objectives