NZQA registered unit standard
15668 version 3
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of mining methods for underground coal
Level
6
Credits
20
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate
knowledge of geological features of underground coal
formations in relation to mining methods; describe support
requirements and potential hazards in coal mines; demonstrate
knowledge of underground coal mining development methods,
and underground coal extraction methods.
Classification
Extractive Industries > Underground Extraction
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
Definition
Industry best practice refers to those practices which competent practitioners within the
industry recognise as current industry best practice. These may be documented in
management plans, company procedures, managers’ rules, occupational health and safety
policy, industry guidelines, codes of practice, manufacturers’ instructions, and safe working
and/or job procedures (or equivalent).
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of geological features of underground coal formations in relation
to mining methods.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The effects of geological features are described in terms of a given mining
method.
Range
1.2
structure, rock properties, sedimentary characteristics, coal
properties.
The properties of the various coal types are described in terms of mining
methods.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15668 version 3
Page 2 of 4
Outcome 2
Describe support requirements and potential hazards in coal mines.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Support requirements are described in terms of the stability of the excavation.
Range
2.2
bolting methods, timber support, steel sets, hydraulic chocks, side
support, mesh.
Hazards that may occur are described in terms of mining safety.
Range
gas, dust, hydrocarbons, strata instability, inundations.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of underground coal mining development methods.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Development methods are described in terms of the geological features of the
coal seam.
Range
hand mining, drill and blast, mechanical loading, roadheader,
continuous miner, hydromonitor, multiple headings, multi-place
changing, single entry, main headings, section and panel
development.
3.2
The effectiveness of strata support is described in terms of given development
methods.
3.3
The resultant pressure distribution of development roadways is described in
terms of stability effects on the surrounding strata.
3.4
The hazards resultant from roadway development are described in terms of
health and safety and potential damage in the coal mine.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate knowledge of underground coal extraction methods.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Extraction methods are described in terms of the geological features of the coal
seam.
Range
hand mining, drill and blast, mechanical loading, roadheader,
continuous miner, hydromonitor, hydro systems, longwall,
shortwall, wongawilli and other panel extraction methods, pillar
splitting and lifting, sub-level caving, bottom caving, gallery mining,
partial extraction, bottom coaling.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15668 version 3
Page 3 of 4
4.2
The effectiveness of strata support is described in terms of given extraction
methods.
4.3
The resultant pressure distribution of extraction roadways is described in terms
of the effects on the surrounding strata.
Range
pillar splits, fender, goaf, stumps, width to height ratio, pillar
stiffness.
4.4
The hazards resultant from extraction methods are described in terms of health
and safety, and potential damage in the coal mine.
4.5
Planning an extraction section in an underground coal mine is described in
accordance with industry best practice.
Range
roadway orientation, roadway dimensions, pillar and panel size,
mining method, surface and subsidence effects.
Status and review information
Registration date
24 November 2005
Date version published
16 July 2010
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0114
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or
an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can
report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading
to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15668 version 3
Page 4 of 4
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated) (MITO)
info@mito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016