Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:43 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Conduct surface miner operations

Conduct surface miner operations

Unit of competency
National Code
RIIMCO302A
State Code
WB114
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/07/2012
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
18/07/2012
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers the conduct of surface miner operations in the coal industry. It includes planning and preparing for operations, operating the surface miner, and carrying out operator maintenance. 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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for operations
  • 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
  • 1.2. Access, interpret and apply geological and survey data required to complete the allocated work
2. Operate surface miner
  • 2.1. Resolve coordination activities with others at the site prior to commencement of, and during, the work activity
  • 2.2. Carry out pre-start, start-up, park-up and shutdown procedures
  • 2.3. Conduct, control and monitor mining procedures, milling, loading and manoeuvring
  • 2.4. Select required loading method, drive-by or other appropriate method, and position the equipment and haulage units to meet this requirement
  • 2.5. Act on monitoring systems and report on alarms
  • 2.6. Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations
  • 2.7. Complete work in accordance with the agreed plan and outcomes and within the operating capacities of the allocated equipment
3. Carry out operator maintenance
  • 3.1. Carry out surface miner inspections and fault-finding
  • 3.2. Carry out routine operational servicing, lubrication and housekeeping tasks
  • 3.3. Carry out minor maintenance
  • 3.4. Provide operator support during preparation for, and conduct of, major maintenance tasks
  • 3.5. Process records
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
management plans
OHS policy
Australian standards
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Surface miners may be:
diesel electrical
diesel mechanical
Work requirements may include:
nature and scope of work
working conditions
achievement targets
site lighting arrangements
defects on machine
hazards and potential hazards
coordination requirements/issues
Specific safety requirements are to include:
boarding and disembarking procedures
lowering of implements
relocating
operational signal procedures
Loading methods may include:
drive-by
single and double side
windrow stockpiling
Haulage units may include:
rear dump
belly dumps
road trucks
Surface miner operations are to include mining coal and roadworks and may include:
material removal
road profiling
boxing out
milling to correct mining depths and horizons
responding to changes in depth
grade and cross fall
loading and manoeuvring
Operator maintenance is:
those maintenance activities established and authorised for the site

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 surface miner operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of surface miner operations
working with others to undertake and complete the surface miner operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of surface miner operations 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 surface miner operations
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH326 RIIMCO302D Conduct surface miner operations Unit of competency