ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan shaft location to meet design criteria

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Plan location of access shaft on a virgin claim to avoid potential ore-bearing ground

1.3. Design and plan shaft to minimise impact on the environment

1.4. Plan location of access shaft on a virgin claim to allow effective location, organisation and access to other mine facilities

1.5. Establish location of a second means of access (secondary shaft) to allow most effective exit from the mine in emergency situations

1.6. If claim is previously mined, inspect conditions of existing shafts to determine the most appropriate access and secondary shafts

1.7. Ensure that the access shaft is located in the appropriate place in relation to the planned mine ventilation system

1.8. Plan layout and configuration of surface facilities in relation to access and secondary shaft

1.9. Record shaft location on the mine plan

2. Design and plan location of ventilation shafts or drill holes

2.1. Plan the mining sequence throughout the life of the mine to determine the location of ventilation shafts or drill holes

2.2. Design and determine the location of ventilation shafts for any proposed secondary ventilation system to deliver fresh air to all active drives

3. Design and plan mine workings

3.1. Design mine workings to facilitate minerals discovery

3.2. Design and plan the drive pattern, opening size and development sequence to best extract minerals and for mine ground stability

3.3. Design mine layout to maximise production and movement of materials to the surface

3.4. Determine room and pillar configuration and plot on the mine plan

4. Design and plan materials handling process and equipment

4.1. Design and plan the handling of waste material stored on the surface of the mine

4.2. Design and plan for the installation of hoisting systems and equipment to meet materials movement and compliance documentation

4.3. plan the system and method for the storage, transport and handling of hazardous materials and/or explosives

5. Develop the mine safety management plan

5.1. Develop the OHS policy for the mine's operations

5.2. Develop and document procedures and methods for the factors covered by the mine safety management plan

5.3. Design and develop document control documents and log book

5.4. Gain approval for the Mine Safety Management Plan from relevant authorities/agencies

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to plan small mine operations:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for the planning of small mine operations

apply design and planning principles and methods

apply operational safety requirements to mine planning

maintain records

design and document procedures

design systems for environmental constraints

design disposal systems for environmentally sensitive fluids and materials

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to plan small mine operations:

geology associated with ore-bearing ground

shaft design requirements and parameters

mine layout principles and design parameters

design criteria for planning mine operation

materials handling and transport

principles of ventilation and air flow

hazardous materials handling

surface installations and equipment

pillar configuration/pillar design and layout

assessment of mine ground conditions

characteristics and properties of roofs

hazards affecting pillar design and development

hoisting systems, equipment and legislative requirements

pillar extraction methods and safety requirements

operational safety requirements

emergency procedures

environmental requirements

mine safety management planning

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 planning small mine operations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of planning small mine operations

working with others to undertake and complete the planning of small mine operations that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of small mine operations planning that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

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.

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

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.

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

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the planning of small mine operations

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, organisational and site requirements and procedures

design criteria

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Design criteria may include:

safest possible design

lowest capital cost

lowest operating cost

most dependable design

most efficient design

most flexible design

Inspection of conditions may include:

ground conditions at the bottom of the shaft

the presence of a shaft pillar

the amount of support required

proximity of workings in neighbouring claims

potential for slope of the land to allow surface water to flow into mine shafts

Surface facilities may include:

temporary stockpiles

loading facilities

generator sets

compressors

work benches

hoisting equipment

Legislation may include Acts and Regulation dealing with:

mining safety and health

mine inspection

OHS

explosives

environment

Factors covered by the Mine Safety Management Plan may typically include:

document control

hazard management

risk assessment and control

emergency response

training

safe work procedures

maintenance

work environment

control of persons

fitness for work

accident and incident reporting

Log book is a record of day-to-day activities which may include:

hazard identification and implemented controls

hazards reported and their rectification

daily routine inspections

pre-start equipment checks

training carried out (including inductions)

injuries/accidents

maintenance

contractors

mine environment