Application
This unit is appropriate for those working in an operational role at worksites within:
Metalliferous mining
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Design pillar configuration to maximise safe material extraction | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Determine location of materials/ore to determine design parameters 1.3. Identify the potential hazards which could have an effect on pillar design and layout 1.4. Identify the characteristics and properties of the roof to determine the span that can stand unsupported 1.5. Identify ground conditions where secondary support will be needed 1.6. Evaluate the effect of any adjacent mines and incorporate in pillar design |
2. Develop pillar system | 2.1. Plan and prepare for pillar development according to pillar design parameters 2.2. Identify, address and/or report risks and hazards 2.3. Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment 2.4. Visually inspect work area to ensure safe access 2.5. Ensure work area is properly ventilated before entry and is free of dust and fumes 2.6. Inspect and assess site conditions to determine if scaling is required and take appropriate action 2.7. Ensure that dust suppression and/or extraction is prepared and ready for use 2.8. Arrange communications with other relevant personnel 2.9. Conduct pillar development safely and efficiently 2.10. Continuously monitor ground conditions and modify operation to maintain safe conditions |
3. Extract pillars | 3.1. Identify the strategic pillars which must not be removed for roof stability 3.2. Establish and observe a retreat system 3.3. Prop ground surrounding pillar before pillar removal 3.4. Extract selected pillars starting furthest from shaft, in a systematic manner 3.5. Prop ground area previously held by the removed pillars 3.6. Continuously monitor ground conditions and modify operation to maintain safe pillar removal |
Required Skills
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 design and maintain pillar systems and ground control: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for the design and maintenance of pillar systems and ground control apply operational safety requirements install secondary support devices operate communications systems operate extraction plant and machinery maintain records identify faults apply environmental constraints dispose of 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 design and maintain pillar systems and ground control: pillar configuration assessment of mine ground conditions pillar design and layout characteristics and properties of roofs dust suppression methods and equipment hazards affecting pillar design and development secondary support methods and installation techniques pillar extraction methods and safety requirements operational safety requirements communication systems emergency procedures environmental requirements |
Evidence Required
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 designing and maintaining pillar systems and ground control implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of designing and maintaining pillar systems and ground control working with others to undertake and complete the design and maintenance of pillar systems and ground control that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of designing and maintaining pillar systems and ground control 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 design and maintenance of pillar systems and ground controls |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
Range Statement
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 manufacturer's guidelines and specifications Australian standards Employment and workplace relations legislation Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
Pillars are the primary means of roof support required to hold up the mass of ground between the underground mine workings and the surface and may be: | randomly spaced regularly spaced square rectangular round |
Design parameters may include those for: | single-level mining multiple-level mining thick-level mining decline-access mining |
Secondary support may include: | rock bolts props |
Effects of adjacent mines may include: | water levels in old or currently unworked claims if a breakthrough occurs stresses transferred through the rock due to the excavations made in the adjacent claims the requirements for boundary pillars to be left any falls which may act as a warning the presence of geological discontinuities |
Characteristics and properties may include: | weight of upper strata vertical compressive force discontinuities faults separation cracks different-coloured layers different textures iron oxide stains bleaching joints blows bands |
Personal Protective Equipment may include: | lamp safety helmet eye protection hearing protection protection from atmospheric contaminants (dust/oil mist) hand protection overalls safety footwear |
Work area inspections may include: | travel ways footings access retreat fumes or dust ventilation air flow ground conditions services |
Dust suppression and/or extraction may include: | fans (electric or compressed air) ventilation bags mobile or fixed sprays vent devices air movers watering down work area |
Communications may include: | radio telephone computer lights audible signals (bells, whistles, sirens) physical signals written and verbal means |
Sectors
Metalliferous Mining (Small Mines)
Competency Field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.