Regulation Part 13 - Surface Mining Operations

Question 1

What do the Regulations require regarding:

The managers responsibilities with respect to the design, layout, construction and maintenance of dumps and stockpiles?

Answer 1

The Mine Manager must ensure that the design, layout, construction & maintenance of any dump or stockpile minimises any potential for instability by considering:

• The nature of the material dumped.
• The size & weight of the equipment
• Site conditions
• Drainage & weather conditions

Question 2

(a) What has to be taken into consideration when faces and benches are being designed in a quarry?
(b) What are the requirements regarding scaling of bench faces?
(c) What must a manager ensure when a bench or series of benches are left unworked?

Answer 2

(a) The maximum vertical height of a quarry bench face is determined as per reg 13.8 and an adequate margin for safety is provided.

(b) - Appropriate methods & equipment are used to scale down bench faces
- If a person on foot is required to work at the toe of a quarry face or face itself, that the face is scaled of any loose rock.

(c) The height & width of benches & bench faces is such that localised failures of such benches can be contained.

Question 3

What do the Regulations require regarding Geotechnical Considerations with respect to quarry operations?

Answer 3

The Principal Employer or Mine Manager must ensure geotechnical aspects are adequately considered for the design, operation & abandonment of quarry operations.

Measures are taken in relation to ground control for:

• Local geological structure & its influence on wall stability
• Shear strength of the rock mass & its geological structure.
• Rain water inflow is analysed & de-watering procedures developed
• Appropriate designs of rock reinforcement are applied & quality of installation is verified.
• Open pit wall stability analysis & monitoring over time.
• Appropriate drilling & blasting procedures.

Question 4

The manager of a mine must ensure that the design and construction of each road and other vehicle operating area at the mine meets two criteria.

Name these criteria.

Answer 4

The Mine Manager must ensure each road:

• Is such as to enable safe operation of all mobile equipment authorised to travel on the road.
• Takes into account the size, speed, loads and operating characteristics of the equipment to be used.

Question 5

What is required under the Regulations with respect to motor vehicle brakes?

Answer 5

• A motor vehicle is not used unless it is equipped and maintained with suitable brakes capable of stopping and holding that vehicle fully loaded under any condition.
• Wheeled earth moving machinery or any other vehicle that can be practicably fitted, must be equipped with independent braking systems for use in an emergency.
• The Mine Manager must ensure each motor vehicle is maintained in good condition and a competent person tests and adjusts the brakes if necessary.
• A person must not leave a motor vehicle unattended unless it is parked correctly and parking brakes fully applied.