Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to prepare a drill site in Metalliferous mining.
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for drill site preparation | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply drill site preparation documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2. Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm the drill site layout plan to confirm the location, size and configuration of the proposed drill site 1.3. Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues, and implement control measures 1.4. Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the work activities 1.5. Establish communication system and protocols 1.6. Carry out plant and equipment pre-start checks |
2. Create access to drill site | 2.1. Identify existing tracks and use for entry to drill site 2.2. If necessary, create new tracks which minimises water flows and erosion by following the natural contours of the land 2.3. Create new tracks to drill site which minimise the clearing of vegetation by avoiding large trees and preserving root stocks 2.4. Raise blades to a minimum of 150mm when using machinery to prepare access blade 2.5. Cut or trim larger trees if unavoidable 2.6. Stockpile or windrow cleared vegetation for use during site rehabilitation |
3. Prepare drill site | 3.1. Clear drill site removing minimum vegetation 3.2. Seek permission from appropriate person to move hole location if vegetation significantly impedes access to the proposed drill site 3.3. Manually clear ground cover to prevent fire hazards to drill rig 3.4. Leave mature trees undisturbed 3.5. Build sumps and bunds on the downside of the hole collar location |
4. Minimise impact of contaminated groundwater | 4.1. Identify the possible presence of groundwater which may be a threat to vegetation during drilling operations 4.2. If groundwater is discovered, construct appropriate number of sumps to recommended configuration and distances from the drill rig location 4.3. Store topsoil removed from sump construction separately to facilitate more effective rehabilitation |
5. Manage rare flora | 5.1. Determine the presence and type of rare flora before clearing vegetation, 5.2. Seek advice on the action to be taken where rare flora are identified |
Evidence of Performance
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 relevant documentation, policies and procedures
implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drill site preparation including:
identifying, recording and reporting rare flora
identifying and containing contaminated groundwater
cutting or trimming trees and vegetation
performing manual and mechanical handling
constructing sumps and bunds
demonstrates completion of preparing drill site that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
accessing plans to identify drill site requirements
performing plant and equipment pre-start checks
operating equipment within required limitations
creating access to the drill site
clearing and preparing the drill site with minimal disruption to environment
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of preparing a drill site through:
identifying particular state or territory regulations relating to vegetation clearing
identifying and controlling hazards associated with drill site preparation work
interpreting drill site layout plans
identifying and applying environmental principles and practices, and work procedures
identifying and applying fire control methods
identifying re-vegetation methods
identifying natural land contours
identifying groundwater systems
identifying types and operational characteristics of plant/equipment used in creating access tracks and for drill site preparation operations
Assessment Conditions
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:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. | |
*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
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.
Sectors
Metalliferous mining