Western Australian Mine Survey Board- An update on the Authorisation process and future directions

1. Western Australian Mine Survey Board- An update on the Authorisation process and future directions June 20 2011 www.dmp.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety

2. WA Mine Survey Board • Legal Framework • Past Authorisation process • Current Authorisation process • Future Authorisation process • The Future • Disciplinary Action

3. WA Mine Survey Board • Legal Framework • Under the Mine Safety and Inspection Act 1994, section 82(4) states • ‘Except as provided in the regulations, the Mine Survey Board may determine its own procedure.’ • AND • Section 3.47 (2) (b) of the Mine Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 • ‘Supply documentary evidence of the matters of which the Board is required to be satisfied under this regulation’. • AND

4. WA Mine Survey Board • In the header of Section 3.47 (3) states • ‘ The Board MAY issue an Authorised Mine Surveyor’s Certificate to an applicant if the Board is satisfied that the applicant-’ • In Part ‘......under supervision satisfactory to the Board.’ • (Section 3.47 (3) (b) and (c)) • And in Part ‘......An applicant for an Authorised Mine Surveyor’s Certificate (Grade 1 or Grade 2) MUST hold a degree or diploma.....’

5. WA Mine Survey Board • Past Authorisation Process • Copy of Qualifications • Certification of time spent working • Letter of good character • Evidence of Geology and Mining units

6. WA Mine Survey Board • Current Authorisation Process • In 2008, along with all the other DMP Boards, the MSB went through a review by Commissioner Kenner. • Report tabled in state parliament. • Several Recommendations. • Recommendation 77 • Recommendation 78

7. WA Mine Survey Board • Recommendation 77 • ‘That the Mine Survey Board introduce a requirement for an oral exam or at least the interviewing of candidates for Authorised Mine Surveyor’s certificates.

8. WA Mine Survey Board • Recommendation 77 • ‘That the Mine Survey Board introduce a requirement for an oral exam or at least the interviewing of candidates for Authorised Mine Surveyor’s certificates. • Recommendation 78 (referenced to recommendations 51 & 52). • All members holding certificates of competency must undertake CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

9. WA Mine Survey Board • So now the current authorisation process is • Submit CERTIFIED copies of Qualifications with mining units and geology where necessary. • Submit a photograph. • Submit a letter of good character. • Submit a SIGNED letter from an Authorised Mine Surveyor which sets out the time spent in training, together with a diary of the work undertaken. This letter MUST contain a sentence which attests to the candidate’s suitability. • Ie I recommend......for Authorisation. • AND NOW they must satisfactorily pass an oral exam.

10. WA Mine Survey Board • ORAL EXAMS • Oral exams have been undertaken over the past 18 months and have officially been adopted as a requirement by the MSB (see legal framework). • The examination board consists of at least 1 member of the MSB who will be the chairman and at least 1 but preferably 2 industry representatives. • We are seeking interested industry representatives to assist with this process. Please contact a member of the MSB if you are interested. • Currently, the MSB sits twice per year with the oral exam process covering between 2 and 3 days. Exams are held in Kalgoorlie or Perth and each exam per candidate lasts about 1 hour. There is a possibility to have exams held in other locations should the need arise.

11. WA Mine Survey Board • Oral Exam Content. • Candidates are examined on their knowledge of the MSI regulations and current WA mining practices. It is strongly recommended that candidates be familiar with the WA Code of Practice and the MSI regulations.  • Questions usually start of with ....name 5 things that you would put on your plans if you were submitting them to the DMP.  • From this, we then target the candidate’s responses and get them to elaborate. • Questions are not strictly worded, but formed to relax the candidate and encourage their responses.

12. WA Mine Survey Board • Questions are drawn from the following;- • Surveying Procedures. • Establishment of Mine Grids and Datums. • Maintaining digital mine plans and models. • Infrastructure and service mapping. • Open pit mining through voids. • Pit wall deformation monitoring. • Office procedures and the survey record book. • Equipment maintenance and calibration. • Capture of underground or surface excavations. • Underground plans and memos. • End of month reporting. • There is also a desk top scenario. • Grade 2 candidates are only examined on their knowledge of surface mining.

13. WA Mine Survey Board • FUTURE AUTHORISATION PROCESS • As of the next exam, 25% of the candidates will be required to submit a portfolio of their own work. The exact details haven’t been finalised, but basically, it will be along the lines of a submission of mine plans to the DMP and a portfolio of their work undertaken. • A statutory declaration will be required stating that it is all the candidate’s work. • WHAT YOU CAN DO • What you can do as a supervisor. • Allow the candidate access to the data (may need RM’s approval). • Assist the candidate with technical support BUT DO NOT do it for them. • Allow them sufficient time at work to undertake this project work.

14. WA Mine Survey Board • THE FUTURE • Commissioner Kenner’s recommendation 78 made mention of CPD. • The current MSB position on CSD is that it will be introduced but not until 2013 at least. The MSB is waiting on the first class mine manger’s board to adopt their CPD requirements and then we will amend theirs to suit the surveying fraternity. • These changes also aligns the MSB with the other state survey boards and their reciprocity agreements, which will make registration of surveyors between the states a lot easier and simpler.

15. WA Mine Survey Board • And finally, disciplinary action. • The Board is now compiling a register of candidates that continually fail the oral exam process. • If a candidate fails several times, or the supervising surveyors name keeps on appearing, then the Board will consider disciplinary action against the supervising surveyor for failing to supply adequate supervision. • THE ONUS IS ON THE SUPERVISING SURVEYOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CANDIDATES ARE PROPERLY TRAINED AND PREPARED. • QUESTIONS?