Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:55 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:55 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 open mine pit surveying
Conduct open mine pit surveying
Unit of competency
National Code
CPPSIS6021A
CPPSIS6021A
State Code
WE820
WE820
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/02/2013
Field of Education
031101 - Surveying
Original Release Date
27/02/2013
Nominal Hours
140
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to work in a surveying capacity in an open mine pit environment. It requires knowledge of surface mining operations and the ability to plan and draft mine drawings to meet job specifications. Functions would be carried out within organisational guidelines.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify project.
- 1.1 Organisational priorities are determined to identify project activity.
- 1.2 Schematic models of areas that may have mineral deposits are presented to relevant personnel.
2 Organise resources for open mine pit operation.
- 2.1 Processes and procedures involved in undertaking exploration of mineral deposits are planned according to organisational guidelines and OHS requirements.
- 2.2 Mining methods and techniques applicable to surface mining operations are planned according to project objectives.
- 2.3 Required explosives, blasting and blasting practices applicable to the mining industry are identified.
- 2.4 Required mining methods including dumps, stockpiles drainage and dewatering are detailed according to project specifications and Mines Safety requirements.
- 2.5 Levels of rock stability and ground support are incorporated in surface mining operation plans.
- 2.6 Surface mining loading and haulage requirements are detailed in the project specifications.
- 2.7 Mine ventilation requirements for surface mines, with regard to air quality and possible contaminants, are detailed in project specifications according to OHS guidelines.
- 2.8 Mining regulations with regard to management, surveying, safety, blasting, power and lighting are detailed according to relevant legislation and company policy.
- 2.9 Equipment use is planned according to manufacturer specifications.
3 Manage open mine pit surveying operations.
- 3.1 Project objectives, deliverables, constraints, principal work activities and equipment requirements are defined and documented according to spatial data specifications and client requirements.
- 3.2 Work is scheduled to be completed within time available.
- 3.3 Project management mechanisms are implemented to measure, record and report progress of activities in relation to the agreed schedule and plans.
- 3.4 Agreed communication processes between project members, client and other stakeholders are implemented and maintained.
- 3.5 OHS and legislative requirements are incorporated into project risk management.
- 3.6 Pertinent legal and statutorystandards are researched, considered and adhered to.
- 3.7 Contingencies and constraints are managed to ensure project meets specifications.
4 Conduct operational elements of open mine pit surveying operations.
- 4.1 Identified spatial components of the open mine pit are accurately measured or set out.
- 4.2 Measured spatial data is reduced to project reference system.
- 4.3 Mine drawings are created to meet job specifications.
- 4.4 Captured data is used to calculate mine volumes.
- 4.5 OHS requirements are adhered to.
- 4.6 Measurements are validated and recorded according to project specifications.
- 4.7 Quality assurance processes are implemented based on the project activity.
5 Finalise the project.
- 5.1 Relevant personnel are informed of the results according to organisational guidelines.
- 5.2 Required documentation is completed according to organisational guidelines.
- 5.3 Spatial data is archived according to project specifications.
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.
Schematic model may include:
detailed reconnaissance of favourable areas
regional appraisal
surface appraisal of target area
three-dimensional sampling and preliminary evaluation.
Relevant personnel may include:
colleagues
registered surveyors
company personnel
staff or employee representatives
supervisors or line managers
suppliers
users.
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.
OHS may include:
Australian standards
development of site safety plan
identification of potential hazards
inspection of work sites
training staff in OHS requirements
use of personal protective clothing
use of safety equipment and signage.
Mining methods may include:
bench blasting using a delay detonator sequence
development of coal pits, roads and ramps
drilling
interburden removal
pre-strip
spoil pits
stockpiles, dumps and safety berms.
Surface mining may include:
characteristics of excavations
factors associated with the selection of an open mine pit method
grade control and blending
requirements for stockpiles and waste dump storage
sources of water in a surface mine and methods of control, including pumping
terminology appropriate to surface mining.
Project objectives may include:
agreed client requirements
written survey specifications.
Mines Safety requirements may include:
dumping
explosives handling
hazards associated with such things as ventilation, poor lighting and instability
lighting
loading
Mines Safety requirements relating to:
blasting
explosives
practical application
storage and usage
statutory regulations
transport
the working of faces and benches as defined by Mines Safety regulations.
Rock stability and ground support relating to how these factors are used to derive a suitable pit wall slope:
techniques to ensure rock stability and ground support include:
cable bolts
mesh
pit wall slope
rock bolts.
Surface mining loading and haulage requirements may include:
application of loading and haulage methods relative to excavation and transport requirements
principles of excavation and transportation of materials relative to mining operations
selection of types of equipment and processes to be used in mining operations for loading and haulage.
Specifications may include:
detailed technical descriptions of survey data and its requirements
preparation of cross-sections and plans with all information included.
Mine ventilation requirements may include:
duties of the ventilation officer for a surface mining operation
exposure standards
testing and sampling of atmospheric contaminants.
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
explosives
gas
radiation
mine legislation.
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
mobile plant heavy earth-moving equipment
scrapers
water and service machines.
Manufacturer specifications may include:
equipment specifications
operator manuals.
Constraints may include:
coverage
datum
environmental factors
industry requirements
legal and statutory
financial
resource availability
time.
Principal work activities may include:
activity and sequence of activity determined to be essential in order to meet project objectives.
Client requirements refer to description of outputs and may be contained in:
contracts
memos
tender briefs
verbal instructions
written instructions.
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.
Project management mechanisms may include:
communication with stakeholders
dispute resolution
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.
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 project activity
weather.
Measurements may include use of:
current meter
echo sounder
global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
level
remote sensing
tape
tide gauge
total station.
Quality assurance processes may include:
internal and external
product or service measurement against set criteria
standard verification
target monitoring.
Required documentation may include:
electronic or paper-based correspondence with client
field records
final report
records of conversation
survey plots
organisational work activity sheets.
Organisational priorities may include:
client focus
external influence and focus
financial priorities
internal influence and focus
operational plan
strategic plan.
Schematic model may include:
detailed reconnaissance of favourable areas
regional appraisal
surface appraisal of target area
three-dimensional sampling and preliminary evaluation.
Relevant personnel may include:
colleagues
registered surveyors
company personnel
staff or employee representatives
supervisors or line managers
suppliers
users.
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.
OHS may include:
Australian standards
development of site safety plan
identification of potential hazards
inspection of work sites
training staff in OHS requirements
use of personal protective clothing
use of safety equipment and signage.
Mining methods may include:
bench blasting using a delay detonator sequence
development of coal pits, roads and ramps
drilling
interburden removal
pre-strip
spoil pits
stockpiles, dumps and safety berms.
Surface mining may include:
characteristics of excavations
factors associated with the selection of an open mine pit method
grade control and blending
requirements for stockpiles and waste dump storage
sources of water in a surface mine and methods of control, including pumping
terminology appropriate to surface mining.
Project objectives may include:
agreed client requirements
written survey specifications.
Mines Safety requirements may include:
dumping
explosives handling
hazards associated with such things as ventilation, poor lighting and instability
lighting
loading
Mines Safety requirements relating to:
blasting
explosives
practical application
storage and usage
statutory regulations
transport
the working of faces and benches as defined by Mines Safety regulations.
Rock stability and ground support relating to how these factors are used to derive a suitable pit wall slope:
techniques to ensure rock stability and ground support include:
cable bolts
mesh
pit wall slope
rock bolts.
Surface mining loading and haulage requirements may include:
application of loading and haulage methods relative to excavation and transport requirements
principles of excavation and transportation of materials relative to mining operations
selection of types of equipment and processes to be used in mining operations for loading and haulage.
Specifications may include:
detailed technical descriptions of survey data and its requirements
preparation of cross-sections and plans with all information included.
Mine ventilation requirements may include:
duties of the ventilation officer for a surface mining operation
exposure standards
testing and sampling of atmospheric contaminants.
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
explosives
gas
radiation
mine legislation.
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
mobile plant heavy earth-moving equipment
scrapers
water and service machines.
Manufacturer specifications may include:
equipment specifications
operator manuals.
Constraints may include:
coverage
datum
environmental factors
industry requirements
legal and statutory
financial
resource availability
time.
Principal work activities may include:
activity and sequence of activity determined to be essential in order to meet project objectives.
Client requirements refer to description of outputs and may be contained in:
contracts
memos
tender briefs
verbal instructions
written instructions.
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.
Project management mechanisms may include:
communication with stakeholders
dispute resolution
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.
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 project activity
weather.
Measurements may include use of:
current meter
echo sounder
global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
level
remote sensing
tape
tide gauge
total station.
Quality assurance processes may include:
internal and external
product or service measurement against set criteria
standard verification
target monitoring.
Required documentation may include:
electronic or paper-based correspondence with client
field records
final report
records of conversation
survey plots
organisational work activity sheets.
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 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 based on thorough assessment of all relevant considerations
accessing and interpreting design information to identify the components to be measured and monitored
managing contingencies
organising and prioritising activity
performing measurements
planning resources
reducing and manipulating spatial data
recording and reporting non-conformity aspects
knowledge of surface mining 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.
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 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 based on thorough assessment of all relevant considerations
accessing and interpreting design information to identify the components to be measured and monitored
managing contingencies
organising and prioritising activity
performing measurements
planning resources
reducing and manipulating spatial data
recording and reporting non-conformity aspects
knowledge of surface mining 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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1540 | CPPSIS6001A | Conduct open mine pit surveying | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXH30 | CPPSIS6021 | Conduct open pit mine surveys | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J357 | CPP50112 | Diploma of Surveying | Qualification |