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

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example CPPSIS6021A Conduct open mine pit surveying, and CPPSIS6033A Conduct underground mine surveying.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

conducting a collection and validation process

accessing and interpreting design information to identify the components to be measured and monitored

contingency management

documenting and reporting

performing measurements

planning resources

reducing and manipulating spatial data

recording and reporting non-conformity aspects

knowledge of mining geology operations.

Specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include access to:

assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book

assignment instructions, work plans and schedules, policy documents and duty statements

registered training provider of assessment services

relevant guidelines, regulations and codes of practice

suitable venue and equipment.

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

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

Context of assessment

Holistic: based on the performance criteria, evidence guide, range statement, and required skills and knowledge.

Method of assessment

Demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment).

Demonstrated competency in a range of situations, that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing induction information. If this is not practicable, observation in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment requires that the clients’ objectives and industry expectations are met. If the clients’ objectives are narrowly defined or not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of surveying and spatial information services requirements to assess competency.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge (in assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning or written assessment, questions are to be identical).

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

All practical demonstration must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each State or Territory.

Where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (recognition of current competencies [RCC] or recognition of prior learning [RPL]), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Assessment processes will be appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult effectively with clients and colleagues

impart knowledge and ideas through oral, written and visual means

initiative and enterprise skills to:

interpret project requirements and translate them into design

manage information

literacy skills to:

assess, develop and use workplace information

read and write key performance reports, including technical reports

research and evaluate to source surveying and spatial information services educational information

numeracy skills to:

analyse errors

conduct image analysis

estimate costs

interpret and analyse statistics

perform mental calculations

record with accuracy and precision

undertake high level computations

organisational skills to:

plan and coordinate technical and human resource inputs to research activities

plan and prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements

project-management skills to plan, coordinate, conduct, monitor and report on action taken in mining geological operations

spatial skills to:

archive and retrieve spatial data

manage and manipulate spatial data

manage files

solve complex problems relating to height, depth, breadth, dimension, direction and position in actual operational activity and virtual representation

train others in spatial precision techniques

technology skills to:

use computers to develop documentation relating to the mining operations

use instruments when conducting mining geology operations

Required knowledge

abilities of work teams

concept of mining in terms of the objectives, types, classifications and purpose

development of headings in underground mining operations

economic geology, including:

different methods and techniques for discovering economic mineral deposits

economics of mineral industries

familiarisation with mining and metallurgical technology

physical and chemical characteristics of rocks and structures

theories of formation

economic significance of mining in terms of domestic and international markets and global technological demands

guidelines of projects

industry standards

legislative, statutory and industry requirements and standards

limitations of the guidelines relating to equipment, measuring and analysis

mineral exploration methods: geophysical, geochemical and geological techniques

mining methods for metalliferous and coal mines

mining technology revolution

organisational policies and guidelines, such as OHS guidelines

phases and stages of exploration procedures and possible methods of exploration relevant to each

planning and control processes

processes and procedures involved in undertaking exploration of mineral deposits

project review procedures

safe work practices

scope of mining in terms of cultural, economical and social significance

terminology and nomenclature applicable to mining

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.

Organisational priorities may include:

client focus

external influence and focus

financial priorities

internal influence and focus

operational plan

strategic plan.

Project specifications may include:

detailed technical descriptions of data and its requirements

preparation of cross-sections and plans with all information included.

Relevant personnel may include:

colleagues

registered surveyors

company personnel

staff or employee representatives

supervisors or line managers

suppliers.

Geological aspect:

a deposit of ore minerals in geological terms is not always an ore deposit

while an ore mineral is a mineral from which a metal can feasibly be extracted, an ore deposit (or an ore body) is a mass of rock from which a metal or mineral can be profitably produced.

Ore deposits may include:

ores formed at or near a contemporary surface:

chemical precipitates

laterites

place deposits

ocean ridge spring deposits

sea floor nodules

shale-hosted base and precious metal deposits

volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits

ores formed in bodies of rock, including ores formed by:

cool solutions of uncertain provenance

deep volcanic environment

epicrustal volcanic environment chemical precipitates

pluton-centered environment

ores formed by magmatic segregation

ores formed by metamorphic processes

ores composed of common rock varieties.

Recognised by the environment may include:

age of mineralisation e.g. banded iron formation deposits are characteristic of Pre-Cambrian age rocks

association with specific types of igneous rocks e.g. copper with quartz-monzonite porphyry, diamonds with kimberlite pipes and tin with granites

gangue mineral association e.g. gold associated with quartz-ankerite veins

host rock association e.g. lead and zinc with carbonate rocks

ore and gangue mineral in fresh or oxidised states in outcrop of derived sediments may give surface evidence of underlying or adjacent deposits

physiographic associations e.g. silicified breccias often stand up as isolated hills, oxidised pyretic bodies in limestone generally form low-covered areas

structural controls e.g. laterite deposits associated with unconformities, replacement deposits associated with crests of anticlines

trace metal association e.g. gold associated with arsenic and mercury in trace amounts

weathering effects e.g. oxidation of pyrite leaves a residue of iron oxide gossan making possible underlying deposits.

Project objectives may include:

agreed client requirements

geological requirements

organisational deliverables

regulatory compliance.

Constraints may include:

coverage

environmental factors

industry requirements

legal and statutory

financial

resource availability

time.

Environmental considerations may include:

coal fires

contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water

erosion

formation of skinholes

leakage of chemicals

loss of biodiversity

Principal work activities may include:

activity and sequence of activity determined to be essential in order to meet project objectives.

Organisational guidelines may include:

appropriate timelines

code of ethics

company policy

final product formats

formal design parameters

legislation relevant to the work or service function

manuals

OHS policies and procedures

personnel practices and guidelines outlining teamwork, work roles and responsibilities

requirements for data processing.

Rock types and structures:

may:

include cohesive aggregates of one or more types of minerals, formed as a result of various geological processes

be solid

may be classified according to:

chemical composition

formation (igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic)

grain-size

mineral content

physical appearance.

Rock stability and ground support requirements may include:

principles for rock support in underground operations

techniques for providing rock support, including:

cable bolts

rock bolts.

Ore and mineralsmay include:

copper

gold

iron

lead

limestone

mercury

quartz

silver

tin

zinc.

Methods for obtaining ore and mineral samples may include:

assaying:

geochemical

quantitative

drilling:

diamond core

rotary percussion

geological mapping:

presence of gossans or leached capping

rock alteration

geological sampling:

exploration geochemistry

geochemical prospecting

geophysical prospecting:

analysis of satellite imagery

computer modelling

geophysical surveying

subsurface mapping of geological units

logging

sampling

surface and underground testing

trenching.

Mining regulations may include:

Australian standards

coal mining Acts and regulations

environmental agency regulations

isolation procedures

manufacturer specifications and recommendations

other applicable legislation, including:

electricity and gas

radiation

mine.

Legislation may include:

Australian standards

award and enterprise agreements

certification requirements

codes of practice

environment protection legislation

OHS legislation

quality assurance requirements.

Company policy may include:

company OHS standards

customer service standards

company goals, such as mission statement

governance guidelines

guidelines on the use of equipment

internal and external communication guidelines

operational manuals

operational plan

strategic plan.

Equipment may include:

augers and drills

bucketwheel

draglines

equipment, such as trailers and floats

excavators

four-wheel drive passenger vehicles

high well miners

scrapers

water and service machines.

Manufacturer specifications may include:

equipment specifications

operator manuals.

Time available may involve estimates for time duration of project, including:

client instructions

consideration of contingencies

consideration of past project experiences

experience of project personnel

location of project

methods to be employed

resources and equipment to be used.

Client requirements refer to description of outputs and may be contained in:

contracts

memos

tender briefs

verbal instructions

written instructions.

Project management mechanisms may include:

communication with stakeholders

dispute resolution guidelines

monitoring and adjusting key milestones.

Client may include:

customers with routine or special requests

external to organisation

internal to organisation

regular and new customers, including:

business enterprises

government agencies

members of the public

suppliers.

Stakeholders may include:

human resource personnel: internal or external

procurement agency: internal or external management.

OHS may include:

Australian standards

development of site safety plan

identification of potential hazards

inspection of work sites

use of personal protective clothing

use of safety equipment and signage.

Risk management may include:

adhering to budget

anticipating external influences

contingency planning

guidelines for the selection of contractors

effective communication and consultation

effective project management

internal and external audit processes

milestone review and evaluation

realistic timelines

targeted activity.

Legal and statutory standards may include:

local government requirements

national standards

state statutes and regulations.

Contingencies may include:

equipment failure

injury to personnel

personnel turnover

observation errors

obstructions to mining operation

weather.

Required documentation may include:

electronic or paper-based correspondence with client

field records

final report

records of conversation

organisational work activity sheets.