Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This unit covers undertaking of process or project environmental impact assessment in the mining or extractive industries. It includes: describing the process or project and the development environment; identifying their environmental issues; assessing environmental impacts; and evaluating alternatives.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to undertaking a local environmental impact assessment of site based processes or projects dealing with mine operations. It may include conduct of a simple checklist audit against company and local requirements. It is appropriate for those working in a management or technical specialist role, within:
- Coal mining
- Extractive industries
- Metalliferous mining
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Describe process or project and the development environment |
1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Prepare detailed description of the process or project environment before development 1.3. Prepare process or project life cycle with detailed information on all phases |
2. Identify environmental issues for process or project |
2.1. Work with engineers and scientists to identify environmental issues 2.2. Assess each part of the process or project for impact on the local ecosystem 2.3. State assessment criteria clearly 2.4. Identify both positive and negative impacts 2.5. Evaluate risks and hazards associated with the process or project, both short and long term |
3. Assess environmental impact |
3.1. Assess process or project against environmental regulations, site terms, conditions and licences and company policy 3.2. Make qualified and justified assessment of impact on environment 3.3. Ensure assessment documents are used as the scientific basis for assessment 3.4. Present assessment in clearly written and illustrated format |
4. Evaluate alternatives |
4.1. Ensure all practical solutions to impact assessment are included in analysis 4.2. Prepare objective and scientifically valid alternatives 4.3. Prepare comparisons using cost benefit analysis where possible 4.4. Identify alternative processes or amended project to minimise environmental impact |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to undertake process or project environmental impact assessment:
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Required knowledge |
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to undertake process or project environmental impact assessment:
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Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
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Method of assessment |
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
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Guidance information for assessment |
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
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Relevant compliance documentation may include: |
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Environment assessment documents may include: |
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Environment may include: |
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Environmental issues may include: |
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Project phases may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Environment
Competency field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-requisite units
Not applicable.