Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to conduct open pit mine surveying operations to meet client specifications. The unit covers project management activities relating to scheduling, measuring, recording, monitoring and reporting work progress, organising resources and equipment, and planning for risks and contingencies. The unit also covers presenting schematic models of areas that may have mineral deposits to identify projects, and organising resources and planning to support an open pit mine surveying operation. The unit requires the ability to implement open pit mine surveying operations using specialist equipment to measure identified components of an open pit mine; capture and reduce data; create mine drawings; and comply with standards, legislation and regulations applicable to the mining industry. It requires knowledge of surface mining operations.
The unit supports those who work in a technical management role in an open pit mine environment.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit in some States where mining surveying must be undertaken under the supervision of a registered surveyor. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Prepare for open pit mine survey. | 1.1. | Open pit mine surveying objectives and specifications are identified in consultation with appropriate persons. |
1.2. | Processes and procedures involved in exploring mineral deposits are planned according to organisational requirements. | ||
1.3. | Required mining methods are detailed according to project specifications and organisational requirements. | ||
2. | Plan open pit mine survey. | 2.1. | Surveying objectives, deliverables, constraints, work activities and surveying resource and equipment needs are identified and documented according to spatial data specifications and organisational requirements. |
2.2. | Project management mechanisms are implemented to schedule, measure, record and report progress of activities in relation to agreed schedule and plans. | ||
2.3. | Agreed communication processes between client and other appropriate persons are implemented and maintained. | ||
2.4. | Risk management and contingency strategies are followed to ensure project complies with legal and statutory standards and organisational requirements. | ||
3. | Carry out open pit mine surveying tasks. | 3.1. | Identified spatial components of open pit mine are accurately measured or set out according to project specifications. |
3.2. | Measured spatial data is reduced to project reference system for comparison with design. | ||
3.3. | Mine drawings are created to meet project specifications. | ||
3.4. | Captured data is used to calculate mine volumes according to project specifications. | ||
3.5. | Measurements are validated and recorded according to organisational requirements. | ||
3.6. | Problems are identified and resolved, and contingencies managed according to organisational requirements. | ||
4. | Finalise and report open pit mine survey outcomes. | 4.1. | Project is finalised and checked for compliance with project specifications and organisational requirements. |
4.2. | Appropriate persons are notified of project results according to organisational requirements. | ||
4.3. | Documentation is completed and spatial data archived according to project and organisational requirements. | ||
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit. The person must also conduct open pit mine surveys for two different projects.
While conducting the above open pit mine surveys, the person must:
interpret relevant plans and documents to plan surveying project processes and activities
communicate clearly with clients and stakeholders to clarify and report project information
comply with organisational policies and procedures, standards, regulations and legislation relating to surface mining when planning for:
blasting
drainage and dewatering
dumps and stockpiles
equipment use
records and reporting
standards and quality
surveying tasks
work health and safety
create mine drawings and capture and reduce data to calculate mine volumes
perform calculations to measure, reduce and validate spatial data captured from open pit mine surveying
measure survey components using two of the following pieces of surveying equipment:
global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
level
remote sensing
tape
total station
plan and implement project management mechanisms to ensure open pit mine surveying operations are completed within required timeframes and comply with project specifications
prepare and document project plans that detail:
required surveying equipment
surveying objectives and deliverables
strategies for risk and contingency management
work processes and timeframes
work safely, using personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing surveying tasks.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
accuracy and precision requirements for surveying data
basic characteristics of common ore deposits
data capture and set-out techniques
data reduction and manipulation techniques
explosives, blasting and blasting practices applicable to mining operations
mineral exploration methods, including geophysical, geochemical and geological techniques
mining methods, including:
developing roads and ramps
drilling
removing interburden
pre-stripping
stockpiles, dumps and safety berms
tailings dams
organisational policies and procedures relating to:
client and stakeholder communication
records and reporting
using the surveying equipment specified in the performance evidence
work health and safety
project management techniques for scheduling, measuring and monitoring work progress
specialised surveying equipment requirements and accessibility in relation to open pit mining
techniques for wall monitoring to derive a suitable pit wall slope, including:
batter stakes
measuring and recording ground cracks
required prism locations
toe and batter checks
terminology and nomenclature applicable to surface mining.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
as specified in the performance evidence, including PPE
specifications:
organisational policies, procedures and documentation relating to work health and safety
relevant mines safety legislation and regulations for the jurisdiction
surveying specifications, including relevant plans and drawings
relationships with team members and supervisor:
working in a team.
Timeframe:
as specified by project requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Planning and organising skills to: | plan and prioritise work to meet contract and resource constraints. |
Numeracy skills to: | conduct precise measurements and calculations relating to height, depth, dimension, direction, position and volumes in actual operational activity and virtual representation. |
Oral communication skills to: | negotiate to clarify client requirements inform clients and other stakeholders of project progress. |
Reading skills to: | interpret graphical and technical information in mining and engineering plans. |
Writing skills to: | record accurate technical information in organisational documentation. |
Technology skills to: | connect equipment to coordinate systems set up and calibrate specialised surveying equipment. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify and resolve areas of potential non-compliance with legislation, regulations and standards. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Appropriate persons must include at least two of the following: | client colleague engineer manager site personnel registered or qualified surveyor supplier. |
Required mining methods must include at least two of the following: | developing roads and ramps drilling removing interburden pre-stripping stockpiles, dumps and safety berms tailings dams. |
Sectors
Surveying and spatial information services