Information for a first class mine manager certificates of competence (CoC) including legislative requirements, how to apply and where to find help.
First class mine manager certificates are valid for five years and issued by the New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners (BoE).
The functions of a first class 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 mine manager you will establish and maintain workplace management systems in relation to risk and health and safety including knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements while having oversight of legislative compliance.
First class 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.
Requirements
To apply for this certificate, you need to prove that you meet all of the requirements. In summary, you need to:
- be a fit and proper person
- complete the required unit standards [PDF, 198 KB]
- hold a current first aid certificate; and
- demonstrate that you have the required practical experience and/or qualification 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 mine manager certificate.
Cost
The application fee for this certificate is NZ$140.00. This includes goods and services tax (GST).
Application process
Our application process map provides you with an overview of what is required at each stage for this certificate:
These steps provide a basic overview of the documentation and qualifications required for a first class mine manager CoC.
1. Application form
There are two ways you can apply:
- Apply online(external link) - With online applications you can complete your application form and upload all supporting documentation through the website.
- Printable application form [PDF, 191 KB] - Print the application form and send it in via email or post.
2. Fit and proper person
To apply for a CoC you are required to provide evidence that you are fit and proper. The BoE 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 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 BoE even if there are no convictions listed.
- The date on your criminal record check must not be more than three months old upon receipt of your application.
- If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more within the five 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.
3. Identification
Provide a certified copy of one of the following items to confirm your identity. The copy must be of a current (unexpired) document:
- New Zealand driver’s licence
- current refugee travel document used by or on behalf of the government of New Zealand
- New Zealand or overseas passport
- New Zealand firearms licence
- current certificate of identity
- New Zealand Police or New Zealand Defence Force photo identity card issued to non-civilian staff.
4. 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.
5. 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 and qualification 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 first class mine managers 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 extractive site and operations |
7144 |
Review and implement plans for ongoing operations of an extractive site |
7145 |
Design, establish, and maintain effective ventilation systems for an underground mine |
7146 |
Demonstrate basic knowledge and ability required to work in an underground mine |
8902 |
Prepare and implement safety plans for surface face and benching operations |
8905 |
Construct and maintain access roads within surface extraction sites |
8909 |
Maintain working surfaces at surface extraction sites |
8922 |
Conduct safety checks prior to equipment usage at an extractives site |
8899 |
Plan storage for product processed at extractive sites |
15658 |
Select excavation and transportation plant for surface extraction |
15662 |
Evaluate ground conditions and design support methods for underground mines and tunnels |
15663 |
Design and maintain stockpiles and sloping surfaces in surface excavations and stockpiles |
15664 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the geological nature of surface extraction sites |
15665 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the geology of surface extraction |
15666 |
Demonstrate knowledge of geology for underground extraction |
15667 |
Demonstrate knowledge of extraction methods and the effects of geological features on these methods |
15670 |
Demonstrate knowledge of mining methods for Metalliferous mines |
15672 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the Mines Rescue Service |
16686 |
Conduct an incident investigation at an extraction site |
17279 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the coordinated incident management system (CIMS) |
17691 |
Use mathematics to solve problems in an extractive industries workplace |
17693 |
Explain and determine water flow, select pumps, and structures for an extraction site |
17694 |
Demonstrate knowledge of explosives and their properties |
17744 |
Read and interpret an underground extractive site plan |
21151 |
Demonstrate knowledge of planning rehabilitation operations of an extractives site |
21152 |
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of storing explosives for use |
21153 |
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of dewatering, pump maintenance, and cleaning settling ponds at extraction sites |
21155 |
Review consent conditions and demonstrate knowledge of the use of water at surface extraction sites |
21156 |
Plan, implement, and describe surface extraction production to minimise environmental impacts |
21278 |
Describe, install, and reassess support systems for an underground mine |
21280 |
Demonstrate knowledge of and design an effective ventilation system in an underground mine |
21281 |
Interpret and test for gases in an underground extraction site |
21629 |
Evaluate and implement plans to manage old workings and inundations in underground sites |
22056 |
Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical mechanics for extractive industries |
22445 |
Describe the roles and functions of a CIMS Incident Management Team (IMT) at an incident |
25878 |
Demonstrate knowledge of crushing and screening plant for extractive industries |
26855 |
Analyse human factors present in workplace practices to determine how they contribute to incidents at an extractive site |
26856 |
Carry out the risk management processes at an extractive site |
First aid unit standards |
|
6400 |
Manage first aid in an emergency situation |
6401 |
Provide first aid |
6402 |
Provide basic life support |
Note: It may take up to 5-10 working days for your record of achievement to arrive from NZQA.
Certification of documents
You must provide a certified copy of all these documents. This means it is required to be certified by an authorised person such as a lawyer, Justice of the Peace, Court Registrar, or notary public.
- Identification
- Ministry of Justice criminal record check
- First aid certificate
- New Zealand Qualification Authority Record of Achievement.
6. Operational Experience Logbook
Provide a completed operational experience logbook [PDF, 230 KB] where you record your practical experience that is required for this certificate.
Section A
This section should show experience in either:
- Holder of a first class mine manager under the former regulations or the current regulations:
- 12 months experience employed in the underground workings of a mine or a tunnel.
- Holder of a degree mineral Technology (mining) by the university of Otago or an equivalent mining qualification:
- 3 years’ experience employed in the underground workings of a mine or a tunnel
- 12 months of employment of the above was at the face of the mine or tunnel, and
- No more than 6 months of the work experience of the above point was in a tunnel.
- Neither of the above apply to you:
- 3 years employed at the face of a mine or a tunnel, which no more than 6 months was in a tunnel
Before sending in your logbook, check that you have:
- filled in all the fields and columns
- demonstrated the required amount of experience as outlined above
- your logbook signed by a supervisor/manager or expert as verification
- completed the contact page (at the back of the logbook).
Your logbook will be reviewed by the BoE. If the BoE requires clarification of your logbook you will be given the opportunity to do this.
An opportunity to attend an oral exam will be given once your operational logbook has been approved by the BoE.
7. Fees
The application fee for this certificate is NZ$140.00. This includes goods and services tax (GST). Please pay by direct credit.
To ensure payment reaches the BoE Secretariat, complete the fields in the direct credit form as outlined below:
Account Name: WorkSafe NZ
Bank: Westpac Account: 03-0251-0040445-000
Particulars: Last name
Code: First name
Reference: Extractives CoC
8. How to send your application
You can send your application form and supporting documentation through one of the following options:
Paper applications
a. Via email
Send scanned copies of your application and supporting documents to the BoE Secretariat.
b. Via courier/post
New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners (BoE) Secretariat,
PO Box 165,
Wellington 6140
Online applications
Applications that are completed and submitted through our online system(external link) automatically get sent to the BoE Secretariat for processing.
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 will 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 three months and 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 exam you will receive a letter outlining the date, time and location. Scheduling of oral exams is based on availability of suitable panel members and the number of applicants applying for similar CoCs. Your oral exam could take place up to a few months after the BoE has received your complete application and you should allow approximately one hour for the exam.
An oral examination panel consists of three 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 Boards processes and procedures are followed. In some instances, such as moderation, the Board wishes for observers to be present during an oral exam. If this is the case you will be asked for permission prior to your exam.
The panel will assess you against the benchmarks set out in the High Level Oral Exam Framework [PDF, 243 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 four competencies:
- Operating and Safety Systems
- Legislation
- Emergency Management
- Leadership.
Each competency has a range of topics which can be found in the High Level Oral Exam Framework on page 3.
For more information, see our oral examination policies.
Outcomes after oral examination
It can take up to 2-3 weeks after your oral exam for a response to come back from the BoE on the outcome of your overall application.
If the BoE finds you competent and grants you with your first class mine manager CoC, a letter will be sent to you along with your certificate and information on CPD requirements.
If the BoE finds you not yet competent and declines your application for your first class mine manager CoC you will receive a letter including extracts from the report from your oral examination. This will assist you in preparation should you wish to reapply.
You can reapply and re-sit the exam at any time.
As a holder of a CoC you must demonstrate that you have complied with the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements when renewing your CoC.
CPD requirements are prescribed by WorkSafe and the BoE renews all CoCs.
To find out more, see our information about CPD and your requirements.
- New Zealand Gazette Notice of Requirements for Granting of Certificates of Competence(external link)
- New Zealand Gazette Notice of Requirements for Continuing Professional Development(external link)
- Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016(external link)
Contact us for more help
If you have any questions about Certificates of Competence, Continued Professional Development or anything else relating to the New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners, please contact our Board Secretariat Team who are happy to help:
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