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Information for a first-class coal mine manager certificate of competence (CoC), including how to apply, legislative requirements, and where to find help.

A CoC is valid for 5 years and is issued by the New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners (the Board).

The functions of a first-class coal mine manager are to develop, implement and maintain the safety management system to comply with regulations. This includes identifying principal hazards and having a principal hazard management plan and principal control plans.

As a first-class coal mine manager you will establish and maintain workplace management systems relating to risk and health and safety, including knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements, while having oversight of legislative compliance.

First-class coal mine managers develop workplace emergency management systems while managing and provide leadership in all areas of operation, including staff recruitment, performance and training. You will appoint safety-critical role holders and engage with clients, internal staff, local bodies and government organisations.

What you need to know

To apply for this CoC, you need to prove that you meet all the requirements. In summary, you need to:

  • be a fit and proper person (see below under Requirements)
  • complete the required unit standards (see below under Requirements)
  • hold a current first aid certificate
  • demonstrate that you have the required practical experience for this CoC.

You are also required to sit an oral examination to satisfy the Board that you are competent to hold a first-class coal mine manager CoC.

Cost

The application fee for this certificate is NZ$140.00 (including GST).

Please pay by internet banking. Instructions are included in both the online and PDF forms.

How to apply

To apply for a new CoC, use our online form.

With online applications you can:

  • complete your application form and upload all supporting documentation
  • track the progress of your application, including saving it and coming back to it if you need to.

Note, to access the form you will be asked to register for our online system. To do this you need a RealMe login. If you do not currently have a RealMe login the registration process will guide you through setting one up.

Applications that are completed and submitted through our online system automatically get sent to the Board's Secretariat for processing.

Start a CoC application(external link)

If you are unable to apply using the online form, download the PDF form below.

PDF
Application for a New CoC-2023 (PDF 279 KB)

Once you have completed the PDF form, email printed copies of your application form and supporting documentation to the Board's Secretariat or post to:

New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners
PO Box 165
Wellington 6140.

Note – the fastest way to apply for your CoC is online. Paper applications may take longer as they need extra processing.

Our application process map provides you with an overview of what is required at each stage of this CoC.

PDF
CoC application process map (PDF 40 KB)

Documentation

You must provide a certified copy of the following documents. This means they must be certified by an authorised person such as a Justice of the Peace, Court Registrar, lawyer, or notary public to confirm that they are a true copy of the original document.

Identification

Provide a certified copy of one of the following items to confirm your identity. The copy must be of a current (unexpired) document.

  1. New Zealand driver’s licence.
  2. New Zealand or overseas passport.
  3. New Zealand firearms licence.
  4. Certificate of identity.
  5. New Zealand Police or New Zealand Defence Force photo identity card issued to non-civilian staff.
  6. Refugee travel document used by or on behalf of the government of New Zealand.

 Fit and proper person 

To apply for a CoC, you are required to provide evidence that you are a fit and proper person. The Board may refuse an application if there is insufficient information to verify that you are a fit and proper person to hold this CoC. 

  • Complete the fit and proper person form (included in the online system or attached to the application form).
  • Provide a current certified copy of your New Zealand criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice(external link).
    • Your criminal record check must be provided to the Board even if there are no convictions listed.
    • The date on your criminal record check must not be more than 3 months old when we receive your application.
  • If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more within the 5 years before making your application, you must also provide a criminal history from that country.

You can find more information on how criminal records are considered in our Fit and proper person policy.

First aid certificate

Training of first aid personnel in workplaces must be carried out by individuals who are employed by an organisation granted consent by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to assess first aid unit standards.

  • Provide a certified copy of your current first aid certificate.

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Record of Achievement

Provide a certified official transcript of your Record of Achievement from NZQA, that shows the unit standards required for this CoC.

You can obtain this by contacting NZQA on 0800 697 296 or online(external link).

The following unit standards are required for a first-class coal mine manager CoC and should be showing on your Record of Achievement:

Unit standards

Title

7142

Demonstrate knowledge of the application of regulatory requirements to manage an extractive site

7143

Inspect and report on safety and operations at an extractive site

7145

Design and maintain effective ventilation systems for an underground coal mine

7146

Demonstrate basic knowledge and ability required to work in an underground operation

8902

Prepare a safety inspection plan for extractive operations

8905

Demonstrate knowledge of construction and maintenance of working surfaces at an extractive site

15662

Evaluate ground conditions and support methods for maintaining stability in underground operations

15663

Demonstrate knowledge of the geotechnical requirements for ground stability at surface extraction sites

15665

Demonstrate knowledge of geology and geotechnical features and failures for surface extraction

15666

Demonstrate knowledge of geology for underground extraction

16686

Conduct an incident investigation at an extractive site

17691

Use mathematics to solve problems in an extractive industries workplace

17693

Explain and determine water flow, and describe the selection of pumps and structures for an extractive site

17694

Demonstrate knowledge of explosives and their properties

17743

Demonstrate knowledge of survey principles and apply to an extraction site

17744

Read and interpret extractive site plans

19522

Undertake job safety analysis

21151

Demonstrate knowledge of planning rehabilitation operations for an extractive site

21152

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of storing explosives for use

21155

Demonstrate knowledge of the management and use of water at an extractive site

21156

Demonstrate knowledge of planning and managing extraction to minimise environmental impacts

21278

Describe, install, and reassess support systems for an underground operation

21280

Demonstrate knowledge and evaluate the design of an effective ventilation system in an underground mine

21281

Test for gases, interpret findings, and demonstrate knowledge of follow-up actions in an underground coal mine

21629

Evaluate plans to manage old workings and inundations at extractive sites

21661

Demonstrate knowledge of the use of electrical reticulation plant and equipment in extractive operations

21662

Demonstrate knowledge of development and extraction plant and methods for underground coal mining

21821

Maintain and install services for an underground operation

22057

Demonstrate knowledge of pneumatic and hydraulic power systems used in extractive operations

23648

Demonstrate knowledge of and follow safe working practices at an extractive site

26855

Analyse Human Factors present in workplace practices at an extractive site

28982

Develop standard operating procedures for an extractive site

28983

Carry out the risk management process at an extractive site

29553

Demonstrate operational knowledge of New Zealand’s Coordinated Incident Management System

29554

Apply operational knowledge of New Zealand’s Coordinated Incident Management System

30902

Demonstrate knowledge of extraction methods, and selection of plant and equipment for surface extraction

30904

Demonstrate knowledge of mining methods, and analyse and select plant for underground coalmines

30905

Demonstrate knowledge of the Underground Mines Emergency Protocol

31092

Demonstrate knowledge of conveyors, and crushing and screening plant for extractive industries

32158

Demonstrate basic knowledge of New Zealand’s Coordinated Incident Management System

32283

Explain hazards and controls associated with stockpiling and tip heads at extractive sites

First aid unit standards  

6400

Manage first aid in an emergency situation

6401 

Provide first aid

6402 

Provide basic life support

For information on unit standards for all CoCs, please see below. 

PDF
Extractives CoC Unit Standards 18 July 2023 (PDF 381 KB)

Certificate of competence experience logbook

Provide a completed Certificate of competence experience logbook where you record your practical experience that is required for this CoC.

PDF
Extractives CoC Experience Logbook (PDF 275 KB)

SECTION A

This section should show the following experience:

Holder of a degree in Mineral Technology (Mining) conferred by the University of Otago

or

Holder of a qualification in mining from another institution that the NZQA recognises as equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in mining:

  • 3 years’ work experience in the underground workings of a coal mining operation (including any period served in the course of study), including at least -
  • 6 months actively engaged in the development and extraction of coal and support of the face openings.

If neither of the above apply to you:

  • 5 years’ work experience in the underground workings of a coal mining operation, including at least
  • 2 years actively engaged in the development and extraction of coal and support of the face openings.

SECTION B

This section should show the following experience:

Holder of a degree in Mineral Technology (Mining) conferred by the University of Otago

or

Holder of a qualification in mining from another institution that the NZQA recognises as equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in mining qualification:

  • 6 months carrying out back-bye work involving all of the following activities:
  1. preparing for and installing mechanical or hydraulic transport of coal
  2. building permanent or temporary stoppings
  3. installation of auxiliary ventilation
  4. installation of ground support
  5. installation and maintenance of services

If neither of the above apply to you:

  • 12 months carrying out back-bye work involving all of the following activities:
  1. preparing for and installing mechanical or hydraulic transport of coal
  2. building permanent or temporary stoppings
  3. installation of auxiliary ventilation
  4. installation of ground support
  5. installation and maintenance of services.

Before sending in your Certificate of competence experience logbook, check that you have: 

  1. filled in all the fields in Section A and Section B
  2. demonstrated the required amount of experience as outlined above
  3. had your logbook signed by a supervisor/manager or expert as verification
  4. completed the Contacts page (at the back of the logbook).

Your logbook will be reviewed by the Board. If the Board requires clarification of your logbook, you will be given the opportunity to do this.

You will be invited to attend an oral examination once your experience logbook has been approved by the Board.

For your application to be considered complete, you must provide all required information and supporting documents. If your application is considered incomplete, you will be given 10 working days to provide the requested information or documents. If you have not provided this within the 10 working days, your application and supporting documents may be returned to you.

You will need to reapply for your CoC when you have the correct documents, ensuring your Ministry of Justice criminal record check is still dated within 3 months and your first aid certificate is still current.

For more information, see our Incomplete applications policy [PDF, 47 KB].

Once your completed application has been reviewed, logbook approved and a date has been set for your oral examination, you will receive an email outlining the date and time of your online examination. Scheduling of oral examinations is based on availability of suitable panel members and the number of applicants applying for similar CoCs. Your oral examination could take place up to a few months after the Board has received your complete application and you should allow approximately 1 hour for the examination.

An oral examination panel consists of 3 members who will mostly be senior colleagues from the extractives industry relevant to your CoC. A member of the Board’s Secretariat is also present to ensure the Board’s processes and procedures are followed. In some instances, such as moderation, the Board wishes for observers to be present during an oral examination. If this is the case, you will be asked for permission prior to your examination.

The panel will assess you against the benchmarks set out in the High level framework for oral exam requirements.

PDF
High level framework for oral examination requirements (PDF 128 KB)

The panel will use workplace-based scenarios to assess you against these benchmarks. The scenarios may include follow-up questions. You will be asked to demonstrate the application of your skills and/or knowledge relevant to the CoC. This means that the panel will expect you to talk about the scenarios you have been presented with, including the actions you would take, putting into practice what you have learnt and explaining why you have taken the action(s).

The scenarios will cover these 4 competencies:

  1. Operating and safety systems.
  2. Legislation.
  3. Emergency management.
  4. Leadership.

Each competency has a range of topics that can be found on page 3 in the High level framework for oral examination requirements.

For more information, see our oral examination policies.

It can take up to 2-3 weeks after your oral examination for a response from the Board on the outcome of your overall application.

If the Board finds you competent and grants you with a first class coal mine manager CoC, a letter of confirmation will be sent, along with your certificate and information on continuing professional development (CPD)  requirements.

If the Board finds you not yet competent and refuses your application for your first class coal mine manager CoC, you will receive a letter including the report from your oral examination. This will assist you to prepare, should you wish to reapply.

You can reapply at any time.

Contact us for more help

If you have any questions about CoCs or anything else relating to the New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners, please contact our Board Secretariat team, who are happy to help:

Email: BoE_Secretariat@worksafe.govt.nz