Mining and mineral processing (Word)

Note that the information, views and recommendations in this document have been obtained under contract from industry sources as part of Industry Advisory Arrangements; they may include data or information which have not been otherwise verified, and they should not be interpreted as being the views, intentions or policy of OPCET or the Tasmanian Government.

Industry Training Demand Profile

Mining

Contents

Scope of Mining TDP 2

Part 1 Industry background and directions 9

Part 2 Skill shortages 16

Part 3 Industry demand for training 23

Part 4 Assessment of infrastructure needs 34

Part 5 Information on VET in schools, including school based new apprenticeships 36

Part 6 Industry’s top priorities for the public training system 38

Part 7 Higher education 41

Scope of Mining TDP

Industry sectors and core occupations

Operational (Mining & Processing)

Core Occupations	AQF	ASCO Equivalent
Mineral Ore Processing Laborer	II	9911-11 Mining Support Worker
Open Cut / Underground Miner Mining Plant Operator	II to IV	7911-11 Miner
Minerals Processing Operator Mineral Ore Treatment Plant Operator Mill Operator	III to IV	7123-11 Engineering Production Systems Worker
Geological Technical Officer	V	3112-13 Earth Science Technical Officer
Mine Deputy Mining / Metallurgical Technician	IV to V	3129-15 Mine Deputy
Mine Manager	VI	1222-13 Production Manager (Mining)
Mine Geologist	Bachelor Degree	2112-11 Geologist
Metallurgist		2119-15 Extractive Metallurgist 2119-17 Physical Metallurgist
Surveyor (Mine / Underground)		2123-13 Surveyor
Mining Engineer		2127-11 Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)

Exploration

Core Occupations	AQF	ASCO Equivalent
Drillers Assistant	II	9911-13 Driller's Assistant
Driller 1 / Driller 2 Production Driller Drill Operator (Underground) Senior Driller Blasting Worker / Shot Firer	III to IV	4986-11 Driller 7912-11 Blasting Worker
Driller Supervisor	V	4986-01 Supervisor, Drillers
Exploration Geologist	Bachelor Degree	2112-11 Geologist

Maintenance (Cross-Industry)

Core Occupations	AQF	ASCO Equivalent
Dogman	I	9919-13 Crane Chaser
Rigger	II	7913-17 Construction Rigger
Truck Driver Dump Truck Operator Underground Truck Operator Excavator Operator		7111-13 Bulldozer Operator 7111-15 Backhoe Operator 7111-17 Loader Operator 7111-21 Excavator Operator
Diesel Fitter-Mechanic Fitter and Turner Fitter-Mechanic Fitter-Machinist Maintenance Fitter Mechanic (Diesel and Heavy Earthmoving Equipment) Process Maintainer / Technician	III	4112-11 Fitter
Boilermaker – Welder		4122-11 Metal Fabricator
Electrical Fitter Electrical Mechanic Electrician E/I Tradesperson Maintenance Technician Instrumentation Technician	III to IV	4311-11 General Electrician 4314-11 General Electronic Instrument Tradesperson 3123-13 Electrical Engineering Technician
Electrical Engineer Process Control Engineer	Bachelor Degree	2125-11 Electrical Engineer

Regulation, Approvals & Planning

Core Occupations	AQF	ASCO Equivalent
Occupational Health & Safety Officer Environmental Health Officer	Bachelor Degree	2543-11 Occupational Health and Safety Officer 2543-13 Environmental Health Officer
Civil Engineer Environmental Engineer		2124-11 Civil Engineer
Environmental Scientist Environmental Consultant		2114-11 Environmental Research Scientist

Professional / Semi Professional (Cross-Industry)

The following occupations have not been assigned AQF levels or ASCO codes, as they are cross-industry in nature and not always met by the vocational education and training sector:

• 
  Aboriginal Heritage/Liaison Adviser
  
• 
  Accountant
  
• 
  Agricultural Scientist
  
• 
  Anthropologist
  
• 
  Archaeologist
  
• 
  Biologist
  
• 
  Biotechnologist
  
• 
  Botanist
  
• 
  Chemical Engineer
  
• 
  Community Relations/Liaison Specialist
  
• 
  Draftsperson
  
• 
  Geophysicist
  
• 
  Horticulturalist
  
• 
  Human Resource Officer
  
• 
  Industrial Chemist
  
• 
  Industrial Relations Officer
  
• 
  Information Technologist
  
• 
  Lawyer
  
• 
  Logistics Officer/Manager
  
• 
  Marketing Manager
  
• 
  Mechanical Engineer
  
• 
  Media Liaison Officer
  
• 
  Microbiologist
  
• 
  Project Manager
  
• 
  Public Relations Officer
  
• 
  Purchasing Officer
  
• 
  Recruitment Officer
  
• 
  Software Engineer
  
• 
  Technician (Field; Geoscience; Laboratory)
  
• 
  Tenement Manager
  
• 
  Training Manager
  

Trade (Cross-Industry)

The following occupations have not been assigned AQF levels or ASCO codes, as they are cross-industry in nature and require coverage in other Industry Training Demand Profiles:

• 
  Automotive Tradesperson
  
• 
  Carpenter
  
• 
  Concreter
  
• 
  Lift Mechanic
  
• 
  Plumber
  

Training Package coverage

• 
  DRT03 Drilling Industry
  
• 
  MNM05 Metalliferous Mining
  

Qualifications and courses within Training Package(s)

MNM20205 Certificate II in Metalliferous Mining Operations - Underground
MNM30205 Certificate III in Metalliferous Mining Operations – Underground
MNM20305 Certificate II in Metalliferous Mining Operations - Processing
MNM30305 Certificate III in Metalliferous Mining Operations - Processing

The State’s public training system is servicing the mining and or processing sector with considerable success. While skills shortages are not currently evident at an operational level, the discovery of nickel near Zeehan and the resurrection of the Renison Tin Mine could result in a shortage of mineral ore processing laborers, mineral processing workers and underground miners.

While TAFE Tasmania has enrolled numerous existing operational staff from the major West Coast mines into previous metalliferous qualifications, significant enrolments have been forecast for the following AQF III qualifications. There may also be scope for the delivery of pre-employment training that draws upon competencies from the AQF II qualifications.

Forecast Shortage	Relevant Qualification
Mineral Ore Processing Laborer	MNM20205 Certificate II in Metalliferous Mining Operations – Underground MNM20305 Certificate II in Metalliferous Mining Operations - Processing
Underground Miner	MNM30205 Certificate III in Metalliferous Mining Operations – Underground
Minerals Processing Operator	MNM30305 Certificate III in Metalliferous Mining Operations - Processing

DRT20503 Certificate II in Drilling - Mineral Exploration
DRT30503 Certificate III in Drilling - Mineral Exploration
DRT40503 Certificate IV in Drilling - Mineral Exploration

The Drilling Industry Training Package comprises qualifications across eleven industry sectors, with mineral exploration being the principal sector applicable (especially with the current resurgence in mineral exploration on the West Coast). With significant skills and or equipment shortages impacting the industry at both a State and national level (and with exploration success underpinning the industry), these qualifications could be used to alleviate the following critical skill shortages:

Skills Shortage	Relevant Qualification
Driller’s Assistant	DRT20503 Certificate II in Drilling - Mineral Exploration
Driller 1	DRT30503 Certificate III in Drilling - Mineral Exploration
Driller 2 / Senior Driller	DRT40503 Certificate IV in Drilling - Mineral Exploration

MEM30205 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade
MEM30305 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade

UEE30805 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
UEE31205 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
UEE40405 Certificate IV in Electrical – Instrumentation
UEE40605 Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician
UEE40905 Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control

While these qualifications are yet to be endorsed, they will more than likely be used as training pathways to address the critical national skills shortages of fitters, boilermaker-welders, electricians and instrumentation tradespersons. They have been included in this Profile due to the impact trade-based skill shortages are currently having (and will continue to have) on the State’s minerals industry.

Skills Shortage	Relevant Qualification
Fitter	MEM30205 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade
Boilermaker – Welder	MEM30305 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
Electrician	UEE40605 Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician