The transitional period for the New South Wales Resources Regulator’s three-tiered scheme for quarry managers has now ended, with new applicants to be assessed on new criteria.
Effective from 1 October, 2022, managers of Tier 2 quarries – which are medium-sized operations where the mining hazards represent medium risk – will be required to satisfy the new requirements.
“The NSW Resources Regulator, in consultation with the Mining and Petroleum Competence Board, has adopted a three-tiered approach to the administration of the Quarry Manager Practising Certificate (QMPC) scheme,” a NSW Resources Regulator spokesperson stated.
The Resources Regulator requires an application that outlines experience, qualifications and verification prerequisites for Tier 2 applications.
A qualifications and experience assessment is required, including the submission of a complete written application that reaches the prerequisites.
At least two years’ experience is required for Tier 2 quarry managers, with applicants required to provide detail on the areas of their expertise.
A minimum of six months’ experience in an operation with similar hazards to those listed in Tier 2 quarries is also listed as part of the application competencies, and six months’ supervisory experiences.
The application must be signed and dated by the applicant’s supervising manager or quarry manager.
“If you are unable to have an eligible person to sign off your experience entries, you must still provide their details in the two columns provided and an explanation as to why,” the NSW Resources Regulator stated in the guide for Tier 2 quarries.
The Resources Regulator also outlines that applicants must have one of the following qualifications:
- RII40115 Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations.
- RII60115 Advanced Diploma of Metalliferous Mining issues by a registered training organisation (RTO).
- RII50115 Diploma of Surface Operations issued by a RTO.
- Bachelor of Mining Engineering issued by an Australian university.
- Bachelor of Science issued by an Australian university and a Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering issued by an Australian university.
- Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering issued by an Australian university and evidence of study in mining subjects related to rock mechanics/quarry slope stability and blasting.
- Bachelor of Civil Engineering issued by an Australian university and evidence of study in mining subjects related to rock mechanics/quarry slope stability and blasting.
The unit ‘RIIERR401E Apply and monitor emergency preparedness and response systems in surface operations’ is also required for Tier 2 quarrying managers.
“The Resources Regulator no longer issues practising certificates with a restriction to a specific mine or mines after the transition period ends. Individuals can now apply for practising certificate that will allow them to exercise the statutory function at all Tier 2 quarries,” a NSW Resources Regulator spokesperson told Quarry.
“Tier-2 quarries are determined by the Resources Regulator using the risk profiling tool.”
The NSW Resources Regulator’s risk profiling tool is available on its website along with the guide to the new competencies for Tier 2 quarries.
What can the IQA offer?
IQA chief executive officer Kylie Fahey said the Institute is available to members and sites with any questions relating to the changes in the Tier 2 criteria. It can offer:
- IQA events and professional development products which cover the required topic areas as prescribed by the NSW Resource Regulator to meet the requirements of practising certificate professional development hours.
- A detailed logbook where learners can record activity, can track hours and identify if the rules for engaging in professional development are being met annually.
- Guidance on planning learning across the five-year period and essential topics for professional development.
- Access to the mandatory Learning from Disasters Course (for Quarry Managers at Tier 1 and Tier 2 sites). The IQA Approved Training Provider number is 0004206.
- Access to the Quarry Manager Certification System (QMCS) framework to support systematic tracking and recording of professional development.
The IQA is approved by the NSW Resources Regulator to deliver its ‘Learning from disasters’ one-day program.
Under the Maintenance of Competence Scheme, developed by the NSW Resources Regulator, for those holding a NSW Practicing Certificate – Quarry Manager (without conditions), a minimum of 90 hours’ professional development is required over five years. This includes completing the Regulator’s approved ‘Learning From disasters’ one-day program.