An occupational qualification standard is a document which describes the set of skills, knowledge and attitudes, i.e. competence requirements, needed to successfully accomplish duties. Occupational qualification standards are used for compiling curricula and awarding qualifications.
Miners are skilled workers who mine (extract), transport and process mineral resources, extracted mineral matter, soil, etc. using moving mechanisms, technical equipment and mining machinery in enrichment plants and loading complexes. Miners work underground and in quarries or in other similar acti...vities, e.g. constructing underground facilities, foundations, roads and tunnels. The tasks of miners include drilling mountains, removing the material covering mineral resources, preparing blasting operations, combine extraction, propping up the mining area, moving extracted mineral matter and installing lighting equipment, power cables, water disposal pumps and ventilation pipes and/or barriers, if necessary. More specific tasks of miners depend on the technology used in the company. Miners specialise in: 1) underground tunnelling and cleaning operations in workings, shafts and tunnels 2) mining areas open for quarry work A miner specialising in underground work may perform underground electrical and locksmith work if they have acquired special skills through further training.
Mine Worker, Level 5 works independently or as a team leader in situations where unpredictable changes may occur. Takes responsibility for the performance and safety of others. Mine Worker, Level 5 cooperates with technologists, mining masters and other specialists.
A.2.4 Maintenance and repair of mining equipment 1. Maintenance 2. Identifying and resolving faults 3. Documentation of maintenance results A.2.5 Leading a work group 1. Organisation of work 2. Supervision MoreHide
Specialised areas of work
A.2.6 Underground tunnelling and cleaning 1. Prop work and water removal 2. Drilling blast holes 3. Removal of extracted mineral matter 4. Grooving 5. Processing extracted mineral matter
A.2.7 Quarry work 1. Drilling blast holes 2. Removing material covering mineral resources 3. Prop wor...k 4. Water removal 5. Removal of extracted mineral matter 6. Processing extracted mineral matter MoreHide
Elective areas of work
A.2.8 Underground electrical and locksmith work 1. Assembly and maintenance of electrical equipment and networks 2. Detection and elimination of electrical and mechanical faults
A.3 Work environment and specific nature of work
Miners work in outdoor and/or underground working conditions. The work environment may be subject to risk of explosion and exposure to noise, vibrations and exhaust and explosive gases is possible. The work environment for underground work may be dark, damp and restricted in size. Due to these hazar...ds, workers must comply with occupational health and safety requirements (wearing special clothing, using personal protective equipment, etc.). Work takes place in shifts, including at night. The work can be physically strenuous, require forced positions and be fast-paced. MoreHide
A.4 Tools
Mobile, manual and automatic mining equipment and machinery as well as stationary mining equipment.
A.5 Personal qualities required for work: abilities and characteristics
The work requires physical endurance and resilience, spatial awareness, logical thinking, conscientiousness, precision, adaptability, willingness to cooperate and communicate, independence, decisiveness, foresight and a sense of responsibility.
A.6 Professional preparation
To become a miner, you can study at a vocational school, on the job or on a training course for adults. In order to perform underground electrical and locksmith work, you must complete further training in the course of which relevant special skills are acquired. People with prior electrician’s trai...ning or those who have acquired the minimum qualification of Electrician, Level 3 are particularly welcome to participate in further training. MoreHide
A.7 Most common occupational titles
Mine Worker, miner, quarry or process worker, cleaner, penetrator, underground locksmith/electrician, etc.
A.8 Regulations governing profession
1) medical examination, on the basis of the regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs 'Procedure for medical examinations of employees'; 2) minimum age 18 years, on the basis of the Employment Contracts Act and 'List of occupational hazards and jobs for which the employment of a m...inor is prohibited'; 3) having a driver’s licence corresponding to the category, basis: Traffic Act. MoreHide
B Competency Requirements
B.1 Structure of occupation
Competency Requirements:
Competences B.2.1-B.2.5 and B.2.9 and at least one competence related to the specialisation from options B.2.6 and B.2.7 must be certified when applying for the qualification.
Competence B.2.6 must also be certified when specialising in underground tunnelling and cleaning. Competence B.2.7 must ...also be certified when specialising in quarry work.
Competence B.2.8 must also be certified when specialising in underground electrical and locksmith work. MoreHide
B.2 Competences
Mandatory competences
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.1
Handling extracted mineral matter
5
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Performance indicators: 1) familiarises themselves with the task and ensures the safety of the work site; 2) drills blast holes with drilling equipment; 3) props up the mining area and removes water; 4) loads the extracted mineral matter onto a vehicle (conveyor, dump truck, etc.) with a loading device; 5) deposits the extracted mineral matter in the storage place based on the special nature of the storage place and the assortment of mineral matter extracted; 6) records the quantity of the extracted mineral matter that has been loaded if the loading device allows; 7) uses sustainable working practices based on working environment and occupational safety requirements; 8) considers mine survey measurements (working area limits); 9) works with at least two of the following mechanisms: a) excavator b) bulldozer c) mountain harvester d) loader truck e) scraper f) dumper truck g) grooving machine h) drilling machine i) anchor installation mechanism 10) maintains mechanisms and performs minor repairs.
Knowledge: 1) types and uses of loading and transport devices; 2) principles of the functioning of the company's transport network; 3) principles of the main technological processes of mining; 4) design and working principles of the machinery and equipment used in the company; 5) principles of the drafting of work documents (quality standards, specifications, instructions, etc.).
Assessment methods: Theory questions, workplace monitoring and conversations
B.2.2
Ancillary work for mining
5
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Performance indicators: 1) transports materials (lumber and prop material, heating fuel and lubricants) and equipment (spare parts of equipment etc.) to the mining site using appropriate trucks; 2) transports large-gauge cargo, bulldozers, drilling machines and other equipment with trailers; 3) deposits lumber and prop materials following the principles of storage; 4) performs slinging operations; 5) builds wind and water barriers following general construction principles; 6) tidies and arranges the mined area/site.
Knowledge 1) transport, storage and handling of hazardous substances (e.g. lubricants, oil and liquid fuels).
Assessment methods: Theory questions, workplace monitoring and conversations
B.2.3
Assembling mining equipment
5
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Performance indicators: 1) assembles equipment and materials; 2) assembles and disassembles mining machinery, assembly lines, forklifts, electric winches, receiving units, pumping stations, etc. related to the technology used according to the technical documentation. 3) builds cable routes, installs and marks the cables and connects system components. 4) uses, inspects and runs automation and communication equipment; 5) tunes and adjusts the system according to the terms of reference, taking into account the specific nature of the site; 6) tests the operation of the system in cooperation with other system components; 7) participates in the testing of assembled equipment; 8) visually monitors the technical condition of the assembled equipment to detect and prevent faults; 9) assesses the condition of devices when taking over a shift, if necessary consulting colleagues or other specialists.
Knowledge: 1) principles of the main technological processes of mining; 2) design and working principles of the machinery and equipment used in the company; 3) principles of the drafting of work documents (quality standards, specifications, instructions, etc.); 4) fundamentals of mechanics and electrical engineering; 5) principles and application of automation locking devices, start and stop devices and fire safety automation devices; 6) working principles of automation control systems. 7) principles of equipment testing.
Assessment methods: Theory questions, workplace monitoring and conversations
B.2.4
Maintenance and repair of mining equipment
5
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Performance indicators: 1) maintains equipment according to technical documentation and norms; 2) identifies faults, determines their cause and notifies the responsible person; 3) in the event of an accident, deals with the consequences; 4) eliminates faults within the limits of their competence; 5) repairs equipment, deciding beforehand whether repairs are possible; 6) is guided by work documents for equipment (work journals, schedule of planned repairs, reports, etc.); 7) documents maintenance and repair activities and their results in accordance with the company's procedures.
Knowledge: 1) principles of the main technological processes of mining; 2) design and working principles of the machinery and equipment used in the company.
Assessment method(s): Theory test, workplace monitoring (supporting documents) and conversations.
B.2.5
Leading a work group
5
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Performance indicators: 1) organises the team's work, divides up tasks and motivates subordinates; 2) ensures the work safety of colleagues; 3) selects and sets priorities based on tasks; 4) complies with occupational health and safety and quality requirements; 5) is oriented towards results and achieving personal work goals; develops their leadership abilities; 6) supervises and advises colleagues and trainees taking into account the needs and capabilities of those being supervised; 7) directs those being supervised to use quality assurance methods and provides solutions to problems; 8) monitors those being supervised, intervening in critical situations in a timely manner.
Knowledge: 1) principles of management; 2) company's work documents (quality standards, specifications and instructions) and other work documents.
Assessment methods: Theory questions, workplace monitoring and conversations
Competences related to specialisations
Competence B.2.6 must also be certified when specialising in underground tunnelling and cleaning. Competence B.2.7 must also be certified when specialising in quarry work.
Underground tunnelling and cleaning
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.6
Underground tunnelling and cleaning
5
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Performance indicators: 1) penetrates workings with an angle of more than 30° and vertical workings; 2) extracts the mineral matter from the maintenance and preparation workings; 3) props up the workings, including performing prop work in emergency situations (e.g. in a karst zone); 4) performs disassembly work and removes anchored props in workings; 5) installs temporary ventilation pipes, 6) builds a ventilation structure; 7) installs and maintains ventilation equipment; 8) builds water disposal trenches and shafts; 9) drills boreholes into the workings with a drilling machine following drilling and blasting passes; 10) grooves both horizontally and vertically; 11) works with moving mechanisms and mining machinery; 12) crushes and sorts extracted mineral matter using mining machinery.
Assessment method(s): Theory test, workplace monitoring (supporting documents) and conversations.
Quarry work
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.7
Quarry work
5
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Performance indicators: 1) drills blasting holes with a drilling machine into the material covering the mineral resources following drilling and blasting passes; 2) removes the blasted material with mining machinery (e.g. bulldozers, loaders and excavators); 3) builds trenches and water collectors based on passes and instructions and keeps the structures in working order; 4) extracts the mineral matter with moving mechanisms and mining machinery; 5) crushes and sorts the extracted mineral matter with mining machinery.
Assessment methods: Theory questions, workplace monitoring and conversations
Optional Competences
Competence B.2.8 must also be certified when specialising in underground electrical and locksmith work.
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.8
Underground electrical and locksmith work
5
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Performance indicators: 1) installs up to 1000 V alternating current and up to 1500 V direct current electrical systems, machinery and equipment in underground workings according to current regulations and instructions; 2) performs automation work; 3) assembles/disassembles mechanical equipment and elements using welding and other connections; 4) tunes the installed equipment; 5) monitors the technical condition of assembled and installed equipment; 6) inspects the technical condition of the equipment and maintains it; 7) identifies faults, determines their cause and notifies the responsible person; 8) eliminates potential electrical or mechanical faults and the consequences of accidents, if necessary; 9) complies with work documents (work journals, schedules of planned repairs, reports, etc.). 10) documents maintenance and repair activities and their results in accordance with established procedures.
Knowledge: 1) principles of electrical engineering, electronics and automation; 2) working principles and application of electric welding, gas cutting and gas welding equipment; 3) rules for the use of gas generators and welding torches; 4) operation, maintenance and repair instructions of equipment and mechanisms;
Assessment methods: Theory questions, workplace monitoring and conversations
Recurring competences
Competence
EstQF Level
B.2.9
Recurring competences of Mine Worker, Level 5
5
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Performance indicators: 1) follows all occupational health and safety, environmental protection, occupational, fire and electrical safety requirements in every stage of their work; 2) uses safety and personal protective equipment (fire-extinguishing equipment, special clothing, etc.) to ensure safety; 3) organises a safe and convenient working site and keeps it clean and tidy; 4) prepares tools, accessories and personal protective equipment in accordance with applicable regulations and instructions; 5) documents the results of the work (e.g. recording the details in the maintenance book); 6) acts in the required manner in emergency situations: forwards information on an ongoing basis, provides first aid, etc.; 7) plans their time and work and observes deadlines; 8) complies with waste treatment requirements; 9) is familiar with legislation concerning the field of mining; 10) sets operational priorities and works effectively even in tense situations; analyses their activities; 11) takes into account principles of energy efficiency, sustainability and preservation of the environment; 12) reads technical documentation and uses professional terminology; 13) is guided by the objectives of the organisation and acts in the interests of the team; 14) develops themselves professionally and keeps up to date with technological innovations;
Assessment methods: Recurring competences are assessed in an integrated manner as part of the assessment of the other competences listed in the occupational qualification standard.
C General information and Annexes
Designation of occupational qualification standard in register:
07-19102023-2.3/6k
Field of occupational activity:
Energy, Mining and Chemical Industry
Occupational Qualification Council:
Energy, Mining and Chemical Industry
No. of decision of Occupational Qualification Council:
12
Date of decision of Occupational Qualification Council:
19.10.2023
EstQF level:
5
Reference to European Qualifications Framework (EQF):
International Standard Classification of Occupations:
8 Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers81 Stationary Plant and Machine Operators811 Mining and Mineral Processing Plant Operators8111 Miners and Quarriers
ISCED Fields of Education and Training (ISCED-F 2013):
07 Engineering, manufacturing and construction072 Manufacturing and processing0724 Mining and extraction
Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE):
B MINING AND QUARRYING05 Mining of coal and lignite