Core drilling may also be called diamond core drilling, diamond drilling or coring. It is used for environmental, geotechnical and mineral exploration drilling. This unit is appropriate for those working in a driller role, at worksites within:
Civil construction
Coal mining
Drilling
Extractive industries
Metalliferous mining
Not applicable.
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for conducting of wireline core drilling | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task 1.3. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards 1.4. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities |
2. Operate a core drill efficiently to achieve targets | 2.1. Identify and use different drill rod and casing types, thread forms and thread make up parameters 2.2. Select appropriate drill bits and reamer shells 2.3. Adjust inner tube length to ensure appropriate fluid flow around the core 2.4. Use rod and casing handling equipment safely 2.5. Add/break out and remove drill rods/pipes and down hole equipment 2.6. Apply appropriate rotation speed, weight on the bit, drilling fluid flow rate and penetration rate applicable to the ground conditions 2.7. Measure drill string components and calculate depth of hole 2.8. Collar holes 2.9. Install casing |
3. Operate drill fluid system | 3.1. Identify hole conditions requiring the use of drilling fluids and chemicals 3.2. Select, prepare, apply, test and monitor suitable fluids and additives 3.3. Monitor fluid return and solids content and implement control measures 3.4. Monitor fluid and cuttings specific gravity and up hole velocity to ensure efficient hole clearing 3.5. Monitor causes of pressure in fluid systems 3.6. Select the appropriate fluid pumping rate for the hole size |
4. Operate wireline | 4.1. Control hazards associated with the use of wireline systems 4.2. Use overshot retrieval and dry release system 4.3. Assemble and maintain wireline overshot 4.4. Use pump in and dry hole lowering devices |
5. Maintain equipment | 5.1. Use the required personal protective equipment and follow safe working procedures when using grinders 5.2. Strip impregnated bits according to manufacturer/company procedures 5.3. Dismantle and service backend assembly 5.4. Dismantle core barrels, service and replace worn/damaged components 5.5. Dismantle wireline retrieval components service and replace worn/damaged components if required 5.6. Maintain drill string 5.7. Maintain bit management, record required information and store bits correctly |
6. Use hole survey and core orientation equipment | 6.1. Use survey tool, as required 6.2. Assemble and maintain survey and core orientation devices 6.3. Read and record survey data 6.4. Operate core orientation devices as required |
7. Take core samples | 7.1. Implement control measures for minimising core loss 7.2. Identify core blockages affecting sample quality |
8. Respond to problems | 8.1. Identify possible problems in equipment or process 8.2. Determine problems needing action 8.3. Determine possible fault causes 8.4. Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility 8.5. Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred 8.6. Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person |
Required skills |
Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct wireline core drilling: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for conducting of wireline core drilling apply routine checks and basic maintenance to mud and water delivery pumps identify, mix and apply collar sealants apply collar casing equipment attachment techniques apply basic drilling fluid tests such as viscosity and specific gravity apply core handling and tray placement requirements and procedures |
Required knowledge |
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to conduct wireline core drilling: configuration requirements of various thread forms and make-up torque requirements function of hole collaring, use of casing and collar sealing techniques methods required to produce uncontaminated samples impregnated bit stripping procedures bit selection for different types of drilling and different ground conditions measurement of bits and other related components critical dimensions of a core barrel if barrel has to be drilled through to reduce hole size relationships between penetration rate and bit life role that core blockages play in affecting sample quality functions of drilling fluids and control procedures relationship between hole diameter, rod diameter, pump output and the specific gravity of formation cutting types of mud and water delivery pumps and their applications hazards associated with wireline operations and control measures required purpose of drill hole surveys and the functions of azimuth and dip readings and where it is applied core orientation and where it is applicable |
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 conducting wireline core drilling implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of wireline core drilling working with others to undertake and complete wireline core drilling tasks that meet all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of the wireline core drilling 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. 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. Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances. 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 consistently achieving the required outcomes first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: working with others to undertake and complete the wireline core drilling tasks |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
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 code of practice Employment and workplace relations legislation Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
Work instructions may come from: | briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include: nature and scope of tasks specifications quality of finished works achievement targets operational conditions obtaining of permits required site layout out of bounds areas worksite inspection requirements lighting conditions plant or equipment defects hazards and potential hazards coordination requirements or issues contamination control requirements environmental control requirements barricade and signage requirements |
Hazards may include: | snags in wire rope incorrect spooling of wire wireline 'throwing a loop' incorrect speed of operation wireline overrun inadequate maintenance inner tube drop off |
Coordination requirements may include working with: | members of the drill team other equipment operators maintenance personnel supervisors mine personnel |
Drill bits may include: | blade bits tricone bits PCD bits surface set diamond core bits and reamer shells impregnated diamond core bits and reamer shells non-core diamond bits RetractaBit system |
Drill rods and casing may include: | wireline drill rods casing may be steel or PVC |
Rod and casing handling equipment may include: | manual handling hoist plug mechanised rod handlers foot operated rod safety clamp hydraulic rod/casing clamps hydraulic rod/casing spinner hook and clamshell |
Collar attachments for underground drilling may include: | stuffing boxes fluid control valves T pieces gas control equipment |
Drilling fluids may include: | drilling mud and additives: polymers soluble oils fluid loss additives water salt cement and cement additives: two part urethane foam sealants - urethane foam, cement, gypsum |
Personal protective equipment includes: | steel-capped boots and hardhat gloves dust mask eye and hearing protection general protective and reflective clothing |
Survey and core orientation devices may include: | single shot survey camera - mechanical/electronic multi shot survey camera - electronic/mechanical digital survey devices spear type core orientation device ball type core orientation device pin type orientation devices electronic orientation devices |
Core barrels may include: | double tube wireline core barrels triple tube wireline core barrels starter barrels chrome barrels |
Samples may include those: | collected from sludge core samples |
Drilling (General)
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Not applicable.
This unit contains employability skills.
Refer to Unit Descriptor.