CoP

Requirements by the Department of Mineral Resources

At every mine where a significant risk of rockfalls or rockbursts exists, the employer is legally required to engage the services of competent persons to manage and reduce these risks in accordance with applicable legislation and guidelines. Such competent persons must:

• Proactively identify dangerous situations and implement remedial actions before persons are injured or mine workings are damaged.
• Participate in relevant planning activities that take account of, influence, or are influenced by the risk of rockfalls or rockbursts.
• Evaluate all face and layout positions to identify significant risks associated with current or planned mining operations.
• Identify, review, and make recommendations regarding systems, procedures, and techniques used to eliminate, control, or minimise rockfall and rockburst hazards.
• Establish monitoring, recording, and reporting systems to ensure that rock-related risk information is communicated timeously to those involved in planning and operating mining activities.
• Approve mining sequence plans to ensure that:
  • The probability of seismic events and rockbursts is minimised
  • Stability of off-reef excavations is adequately addressed
  • Support systems accommodate current and anticipated rock conditions
  • All necessary precautions for remnant and pillar mining are clearly stipulated

In seismically active mines, a competent person must advise the employer in developing and maintaining a mine-specific Code of Practice aimed at reducing the incidence and impact of rockbursts. Where ore reserves are predominantly located in remnants or pillars, a periodic, detailed analysis of the entire mine is required, with emphasis on sequencing and phasing extraction to ensure safe mining practices.

Employer Responsibilities

The employer must, where necessary with assistance from seismic specialists and using appropriate monitoring equipment:

• Monitor, interpret, and analyse seismic activity
• Regularly monitor pillar performance to confirm compliance with design requirements
• Inspect all major rockbursts and serious falls of ground and submit appropriate reports
• Provide input into rock-related risk assessments and control strategies

Source: Department of Mineral Resources, DMR 7/4/118 AB1 of 2001