What appointments may be required for mining operations?

Over the life of a mining operation, there is the requirement under the mines safety and inspection legislation to appoint personnel with suitable expertise and qualifications for specific roles or responsibilities. Appointments can be made by the principal employer, or the principal employer can authorise a registered manager to make the appointments.

Under s. 33A of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, a principal employer may authorise a registered manager to make appointments required under ss. 34(1), 35(1), 36(1) or 36(2), 37(1), 38(1) or 38(2) or 38(3), and 39(2).

To ensure compliance with the legislation, some appointments need to be notified (to either the senior or district inspector of mines). For other appointments, notification is not a regulatory requirement but may be desirable to assist in efficient communication with the mines inspectorate.

Principal employer

Under the act and associated regulations, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) must be notified regarding the principal employer of a mining operation.

Registered manager

Before operations begin at a mine, the principal employer must appoint a registered manager for the mine.

Alternate registered manager

Where the registered manager is subject to a commute schedule, an alternate registered manager must be appointed.

Deputy registered manager

Where the registered manager or alternate registered manager is absent from duties, a deputy must be appointed for the duration of the absence. There is no requirement for DMIRS to be informed.

Underground manager

Where underground operations take place, the principal employer must appoint an underground manager.

Underground operations without underground manager appointed

A small syndicate consisting of self-employed persons can apply for an agreement to operate an underground operation without appointing an underground manager. The small syndicate must apply in writing to the district inspector for the site operation using the approved form.

Alternate underground manager

Where the underground manager is subject to a commute schedule, an alternate underground manager must be appointed.

Deputy underground manager

Where the underground manager or alternate underground manager is absent from duties, a deputy must be appointed for the duration of the absence. There is no requirement for the Department to be informed.

Quarry manager

Where quarrying operations take place, the principal employer must appoint a quarry manager to take control of the quarry or sand pit.

It is acknowledged that a small mine such as a sand or limestone extraction operation does not have the same risk profile as a gold or iron ore mine. Therefore an agreement may be sought from the district inspector or State Mining Engineer to operate the mine without appointing a quarry manager.

Alternate quarry manager

Where the quarry manager is subject to a commute schedule, an alternate quarry manager must be appointed.

Deputy quarry manager

Where the quarry manager or alternate quarry manager is absent from duties, a deputy must be appointed for the duration of the absence. There is no requirement for the Department to be informed.

Exploration manager

Before exploration activities begin, the principal employer must appoint an exploration manager for the duration of those operations.

Where exploration activities are associated with a mine, the registered manager may be appointed as the exploration manager.

On-site person responsible for exploration activities

Where exploration is being conducted, the principal employer must appoint a person who is responsible for the daily site management of exploration activities at that operation.

Ventilation officer

The registered manager is required to appoint a ventilation officer.

A registered manager is also required to appoint personnel with specific expertise and qualifications as required. Notification of the following appointments is not a regulatory requirement but the registered manager may wish to advise the department to assist in efficient communication with the mines inspectorate.

Radiation safety officer

Electrical supervisor

Below is the a link that you may find useful.

High voltage operator

Below is the a link that you may find useful.

Mine surveyor

Below is the a link that you may find useful.

Noise officer

Below is the a link that you may find useful.

Classified plant inspector

Below is the a link that you may find useful.

Other appointments that the registered manager should be aware of are:

• persons responsible for the general control of construction work
• construction work supervisors
• competent persons to be platmen, bracemen, or skipmen for underground shaft mining.

There are many appointments implied in the legislation that may be made to conduct mining operations safely.

For example, under the duty of care legislation contained in section 9 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, supervision must be provided for all employees carrying out work at the mine, which means that supervisors will be required.

The registered manager may appoint people to ensure compliance with a part (e.g. Part 6 Safety in using certain types of plant) or a division (e.g. Division 2 Construction work; Division 3 Emergency preparation) of the Mines safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 or a specific regulation. Such management appointments include:

• certified winding engine drivers
• mine rescue trained persons
• qualified first aid person
• licensed electrical person
• high risk licence operators
• certified person to remove asbestos.

Resources Safety has developed information sheets answering frequently asked questions relating to appointments or referencing appointments in different work areas.