Details of new competency requirements for work in operations using explosives, work underground or work in operations involving coal extraction.
Prescribed competency requirements for the issue, renewal, or continuation of a certificate of competence (CoC) may include additional or alternative requirements relating to one or more of the following:
- Work in an operation that uses explosives.
- A mining operation that involves working underground.
- A mining operation that involves the extraction of coal.
If an applicant intends to work in an operation that uses explosives, they must apply to have the additional requirement linked to their CoC. This can be done at the time the applicant first applies for a CoC or it can be applied for later on and linked to an existing CoC.
To apply for the additional requirement, the applicant must have passed the following additional unit standards and they must be stated on the applicants NZQA Record of Achievement
Unit standards |
Title |
17694 |
Demonstrate knowledge of explosives and their properties |
21152 |
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of storing explosives for use |
A separate application needs to be submitted for the additional requirement for work in operations using explosives. This is over and above the application for the standard CoC. If approved, the additional requirements will be noted against the original CoC.
As part of the application, an applicant will need to complete an oral examination for the additional requirement for work in operations using explosives.
Applicants/holders of the following CoCs can apply to have additional requirement for work in operations using explosives, linked to their CoCs:
- A-grade opencast coal mine manager
- B-grade opencast coal mine manager
- A-grade quarry manager
- B-grade quarry manager
- A-grade alluvial mine manager
- B-grade alluvial mine manager
- A-grade tunnel manager
- B-grade tunnel manager
See below for the application process.
If an applicant for a mine surveyor CoC (or an existing holder of a mine surveyor CoC) intends to work underground, they must apply to have additional requirement linked to their CoC. This can be done at the time the applicant first applies for a CoC or it can be applied for later on and linked to an existing CoC.
To apply for the additional requirement, the applicant must have passed the following additional unit standards and they must be stated on the applicant's NZQA Record of Achievement
Unit standards |
Title |
7146 |
Demonstrate basic knowledge and ability required to work in an underground operation |
15666 |
Demonstrate knowledge of geology for underground extraction |
17741 |
Demonstrate specialist underground survey techniques |
The applicant must also have at least 12 months' experience surveying in the underground workings of a mining operation or tunnelling operation.
A separate application needs to be submitted for the additional requirement for work underground. This is over and above the application for the standard mine surveyor CoC. If approved, the additional requirement will be noted against the original CoC.
As part of the application, an applicant will need to complete an oral examination for the additional requirement for work underground.
See below for the application process.
If an applicant for a ventilation officer CoC (or an existing holder of a ventilation officer CoC) intends to work in operations involving coal extraction, they must apply to have additional requirement linked to their CoC. This can be done at the time the applicant first applies for a CoC or it can be applied for later on and linked to an existing CoC.
To apply for the additional requirement, the applicant must have passed the following additional unit standards and they must be stated on the applicant's NZQA Record of Achievement.
Unit standards |
Title |
7145 |
Design and maintain effective ventilation systems for an underground coal mine. |
21280 |
Demonstrate knowledge and evaluate the design of an effective ventilation system in an underground mine |
A separate application needs to be submitted for the additional requirement to work in an operation involving coal extraction. This is over and above the application for the standard ventilation officer CoC. If approved, the additional requirement will be noted against the original CoC.
As part of the application, an applicant will need to complete an oral examination for the additional requirement for work in an operation involving coal extraction.
See below for the application process.
Documentation
You must provide a certified copy of the following documents. This means they must be certified by an authorised person such as a Justice of the Peace, Court Registrar, lawyer, or notary public to confirm that they are a true copy of the original document.
- Identification (see below).
- New Zealand Qualification Authority Record of Achievement (see above for unit standards required for this CoC).
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.
- New Zealand or overseas passport.
- New Zealand firearms licence.
- Certificate of identity.
- New Zealand Police or New Zealand Defence Force photo identity card issued to non-civilian staff.
- Refugee travel document used by or on behalf of the government of New Zealand.
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 required for the additional requirements (see above).
You can obtain this by contacting NZQA on 0800 697 296 or online(external link).
To apply to have additional competencies added to your CoC, use our online form.
With online applications you can:
- complete your application form and upload all supporting documentation
- track the progress of your application, including saving it and coming back to it if you need to.
Note, to access the form you will be asked to register for our online system. To do this you need a RealMe login. It does not matter if you do not currently have a RealMe login – the registration process will guide you through setting one up.
Applications that are completed and submitted through our online system automatically get sent to the Board's Secretariat for processing.
Start an application to add competencies to your CoC(external link)
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 may be returned to you.
You will need to reapply for the additional requirements when you have the correct documents.
For more information, see our Incomplete applications policy [PDF, 47 KB].
Once your completed application has been reviewed, and a date has been set for your oral examination, you will receive an email outlining the date and time of your online examination. Scheduling of oral examinations is based on availability of suitable panel members and the number of applicants applying for similar CoCs and additional requirements. Your oral examination could take place up to a few months after the Board has received your complete application.
An oral examination panel consists of 3 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 Board’s processes and procedures are followed. In some instances, such as moderation, the Board wishes for observers to be present during an oral examination. If this is the case, you will be asked for permission prior to your examination.
You may need to sit a separate oral examination for your standard CoC and the additional requirements.
For more information, see our oral examination policies.
It can take up to 2-3 weeks after your oral examination for a response from the Board on the outcome of your overall application.
If the Board finds you competent and grants you with additional requirements linked to your CoC, a letter of confirmation will be sent, along with your CoC.
If the Board finds you not yet competent and refuses your application for additional requirements to be linked to your CoC, you will receive a letter including the report from your oral examination. This will assist you to prepare, should you wish to reapply.
You can reapply at any time.
- Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016(external link)
- Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Amendment Regulations 2022(external link)
- Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations-Prescribed Competency Requirements for Certificates of Competence) Safe Work Instrument 2023
Contact us for more help
If you have any questions about CoCs 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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