Ground or strata instability is a major factor in mine collapse and poses a serious hazard. This guidance is for mine operators, site senior executives, mine managers, and anyone else involved in managing instability.

This document sets out our expectations for managing ground or strata instability in underground mining and tunnelling operations instability. It includes information on:

• causes of ground or strata instability
• geotechnical assessment
• design and implementation of control measures
• monitoring controls
• review and audit requirements.

This information contributes to the contents of the ground or strata instability principal hazard management plan (PHMP).

Developing a PHMP for ground or strata instability

These guidelines list the minimum information required for the PHMP – it provides an example of how to produce a PHMP, rather than a template that must be followed.