This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to install underground shaft in Metalliferous Mining (Small Mines).

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies applicable legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of installing underground shaft including:

identifying shaft location and types

identifying and installing shaft protection

installing secondary support devices

fitting and locating services in mine shaft

assessing and addressing hazards

identifying faults

maintaining records

identifying and applying environmental constraints

disposing of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials

demonstrates completion of installing underground shafts that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

evaluating site and ground conditions and determining the type of shaft to be sunk

completing shaft excavation

stabilising unconsolidated ground to prevent falls of ground and shaft collar erosion

installing shaft pillar and ensuring the integrity of the bottom section of the shaft

securing area over shaft collar to prevent surface water inflow

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in installing underground shaft through:

accessing, interpreting and applying legislative, organization and site requirements and procedures for:

emergency procedures

environmental requirements

safety requirements for shaft excavation

shaft excavation and shaft use

conducting assessment of mine ground conditions

identifying shaft location

identifying and evaluating types of shafts

accessing, interpreting and applying shaft excavation methods and equipment

fitting out and locating services in shaft

accessing, interpreting and applying shaft protection methods

accessing, interpreting and applying pillar design and configuration

being prepared for fire/accident/emergency

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.

Metalliferous Mining (Small Mines)