ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and evaluate the criteria

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

1.2. Identify, collect, access and interpret mine survey data in accordance with statutory and site requirements

1.3. Identify and record the necessary resources required to create and maintain a stable mining structure

1.4. Identify, evaluate and record historical information relating to the mine site

1.5. Identify, assess and record all possible mining structure failure modes relevant to the mine site

1.6. Establish the criteria for establishing the quantitative stability of mining structures

1.7. Analyse the risks associated with unstable mining structures

1.8. Identify and assess the limitations and controls applying to design of stable mining structures

2. Identify and evaluate geological and geotechnical information

2.1. Identify and evaluate exploration techniques

2.2. Identify and evaluate geological structures

2.3. Identify and evaluate hydrogeological features

2.4. Identify and evaluate hanging wall, foot wall, ore body characteristics and physical properties

2.5. Identify and evaluate stress regimes

3. Identify and evaluate mining engineering principles and practices

3.1. Identify and evaluate mining system types and methods

3.2. Identify potential layouts for stable mining structures from engineering analysis

3.3. Identify and evaluate mining constraints impacting on the development of a stable mining structure

3.4. Identify and evaluate equipment requirements, appropriate for the development and maintenance of a stable mining structure

4. Identify and evaluate control options

4.1. Identify and evaluate ground support systems

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

4.3. Identify and evaluate causes and impacts of failure mechanisms

4.4. Identify and evaluate natural and induced stress control methods

5. Establish the system

5.1. Design and establish exploration programs identifying geological features and characteristics impacting on mining operations

5.2. Design and establish methods of entry

5.3. Design and establish systems of mining

5.4. Design and establish sequences for mining operations

5.5. Design and establish system specifications and documentation

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

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

5.8. Establish standard operating procedures and incorporate into site documentation

6. Audit and review the effectiveness of the system

6.1. Audit stable structure standards for compliance with statutory and site requirements

6.2. Audit mine survey data for compliance with statutory and site requirements

6.3. Audit monitoring systems for compliance with statutory and site standards

6.4. Audit recording systems for compliance with statutory and site requirements

6.5. Audit system maintenance program and procedures for compliance with statutory and site requirements

6.6. Audit emergency plans for compliance with statutory and site requirements

6.7. Audit the stable mining structure training program for currency, relevance and compliance with the site requirements

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

6.9. Identify and assess future site mining requirements and standards and incorporate into the planning procedures as stipulated by the ground control and stable mining structure system

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

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 ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines:

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 stable mining systems

perform mathematical calculations

interpret and apply design criteria for stable mining systems

interpret computer spreadsheets and stable 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 data from monitoring systems and equipment

analyse and report on stable mining systems 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 ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines:

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

mine planning and design

the systems of mining including drives, cross-cuts, rises, winzes, declines, inclines, shafts and ore body development

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

rock types and characteristics including subsidence, faults and fissures, permeability of rock types, hydrology, physical property testing, caving characteristics, windblast and hanging wall and foot wall conditions

systems of work including mining and extraction such as pillar recovery and the use of various types of fill material

mining structure failure modes

exploration techniques

mining and general engineering principles relevant to the behaviour of excavations in rock

ground support methods and systems

audit methodologies

pillar design criteria:

pillar stress/strain/strength/ratios

width/height ratios

roof support design criteria

Mohr's Circle

Young's Modulus

Poisson's Ratio

stress distribution diagrams

factors of safety

mine surveying

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 establishing and maintaining of ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient establishing and maintenance of ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

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

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

working with others to establish and maintain ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

consistent and timely establishing and maintenance of ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

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 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 establish and maintain ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

consistent and timely gaining of approval of ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

provision of clear, timely required support and advice on the implementation of ground control and stable mining systems in underground metalliferous mines

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

Resources may include:

skilled personnel

bolts, cable and grout

face drilling equipment

power systems

mine services

special application equipment

budgetary requirements

Stable mining structure controls include:

mine opening dimensions

pillar sizes

influences of stresses and depth

strength of rock types

stress regimes and base characteristics

rock characteristics

competency of fill

system of mining

sequence of mining

competency of ground support

direction of mining

stress shadow area

faults and fissures

Mine site historical information may include:

caving characteristics

existence of previous workings within the mine

hanging wall and footwall data

hydrology

mass blasts

over and underlying rock types

permeability of rocks and faults

physical property testing results of rock types

rockburst and seismic activity

sedimentology aspects of the mine site relating to subsidence

sulphide dust explosions

underground fissures and water sources

water pumped from mine

Risk is:

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

Mine design is the process of:

engineering analysis applied to the systems and sequences involved in mining

Mine design may include in whole or in part requirements relating to:

cross-cuts

declines/inclines

drives

fault monitoring

geology

hanging wall and foot wall technical data

legislative and statutory requirements

mine drainage

mine plant

mining induced stress

modelling

multiple ore bodies

ore grades

outburst

over and underlying rock types

partial extraction

pillar extraction

sequencing

shaft pillar

shaft sinking and shaft location

spontaneous combustion

stone drivage

subsidence

sulphide content of ore

ventilation

windblast

Geological and hydrogeological information includes that related to:

caving characteristics

direction and competency of faults or inliers

hanging wall and foot wall

induced collapse

intrusions and deformities

over and underlying rock types

permeability of rocks and faults

physical properties

subsidence

sulphide content of ore

underground fissures and water sources

windblast

Stress includes:

horizontal and vertical tectonic induced stress

mining induced stress

primary and secondary stress fields

Mining systems and methods may include:

cut and fill

mechanised cut and fill

shrinkage stoping

sub-level stoping

open stoping

bench stoping

panel stoping

pillar extraction

caving methods

post pillar

slots mining

Monitoring of activities may include:

review of written reports

performance appraisal

auditing procedures

Standard operating procedures (SOP) are also known as:

safe working procedures, safe operating procedures 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