This qualification is an Advanced Diploma (AQF Level 6) and is designed for experienced mining professionals working in, or preparing for, senior leadership and statutory positions within the surface coal mining industry, including superintendents, mine managers, mining engineering managers, and other senior management roles.
These roles involve establishing, implementing, reviewing and continually improving the mine’s Safety and Health Management System (SHMS), environmental management systems, statutory compliance systems, emergency preparedness and response systems, and other operational management systems. They require individuals to provide strategic leadership while ensuring legislative compliance, managing operational risk, and achieving organisational objectives.
People working at this level demonstrate advanced technical, managerial, planning, coordination and leadership skills. They are responsible for making complex operational decisions, leading multidisciplinary teams, and exercising a high level of professional judgement and accountability.
As an AQF Level 6 qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), learners are expected to:
Assessment at AQF Level 6 requires learners to demonstrate the ability to:
This qualification recognises individuals who can think strategically, make informed operational decisions, and provide leadership within senior management and statutory roles in the surface coal mining industry.
The RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management is designed for experienced mining professionals who are working in, or preparing for, senior leadership and statutory positions within the surface coal mining industry.
This qualification is suitable for:
It is also ideal for experienced mining professionals who are working towards appointment as a Queensland Surface Mine Manager (SMM) and require the RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management as part of the qualification requirements for their application to the Queensland Board of Examiners.
Candidates undertaking this qualification are typically experienced mining professionals with extensive operational knowledge who are responsible for leading teams, managing complex mining operations, ensuring legislative compliance, and driving the continual improvement of Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) and other critical mine management systems.
Prepare for Senior Leadership Roles – Develop the knowledge and skills required for senior management positions such as Surface Mine Manager, Mining Engineering Manager, Site Senior Executive (SSE), Superintendent and other leadership roles within the surface coal mining industry.
Strengthen Legislative & Statutory Compliance – Gain a stronger understanding of mining legislation, statutory obligations, governance and compliance management to support safe and legally compliant mining operations.
Lead Safety & Risk Management Systems – Learn to establish, implement and continually improve Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS), risk management processes, emergency preparedness and environmental management systems.
Develop Strategic Planning Skills – Build the capability to plan, implement and review complex mining operations, including pit development, haulage systems, ground control, infrastructure and operational management systems.
Drive Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement – Develop the leadership skills required to improve operational performance, manage organisational change, mentor teams and implement continuous improvement initiatives across mining operations.
Advance Your Career in Surface Coal Mining – Achieve an AQF Level 6 nationally recognised qualification that demonstrates advanced technical knowledge, leadership capability and strategic decision-making skills, supporting career progression into senior statutory and executive positions.
The RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management prepares experienced mining professionals for senior leadership, statutory and management roles within the Queensland surface coal mining industry. The qualification develops the advanced knowledge and skills required to strategically plan, establish, implement and continually improve operational systems that support safe, compliant and productive mining operations.
Throughout the qualification, you will develop skills in leading complex mining operations, managing legislative compliance, and establishing robust Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS), environmental management systems, emergency preparedness and response systems, risk management systems, and statutory compliance management systems. You will also strengthen your ability to plan pit development, manage ground control and slope stability, oversee haulage and transport systems, and provide leadership, mentoring and strategic direction to multidisciplinary teams.
Designed for Surface Mine Managers, Mining Engineering Managers, Site Senior Executives (SSEs) and other senior mining professionals, this qualification equips candidates with the capability to make informed operational decisions, manage organisational risk, drive continuous improvement, and lead surface coal mining operations in accordance with legislative and industry best practice.
Pathway to a Queensland Surface Mine Manager (SMM)
For many experienced mining professionals, the RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management forms an important part of the pathway towards obtaining a Queensland Surface Mine Manager (SMM) Certificate of Competency.
The qualification develops advanced knowledge and practical skills in areas that align with the responsibilities of a Surface Mine Manager, including:
Applicants seeking appointment as a Queensland Surface Mine Manager (SMM) must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ). These requirements include demonstrated industry experience, workplace evidence, recognised qualifications, and successful completion of the Queensland Board of Examiners assessment process. Full eligibility requirements are available on the RSHQ website.
Mine Training Solutions can assist experienced mining professionals to obtain the RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management through either training and assessment or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), helping candidates meet the qualification component of the Queensland Surface Mine Manager application pathway.
Below is a concise summary of the key learning outcomes for RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management:
This course offers flexible delivery options to best suit your individual needs and career goals. Each applicant will undergo an initial consultation with Mine Training Solutions, during which a personalised training plan will be developed.
This tailored plan will include mandatory core units that provide the foundational knowledge and skills required for the qualification. In addition, elective units will be carefully selected in consultation with you to ensure they are highly relevant to your specific role, responsibilities, and career aspirations. This collaborative approach ensures that your training is targeted, practical, and maximises your professional development.
The following provides the packaging rules for this qualification, followed by the list of relevant units of competency.
Total number of units = 13
8 core units plus
5 elective units, of which:
There are no prerequisites to imported units listed in this qualification. Where a unit is imported as an elective care must be taken to ensure that all prerequisites specified are complied with.
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| RIIRIS601E | Establish and maintain risk management systems. |
| RIIGOV601E | Establish, maintain and develop a statutory compliance management system |
| RIIENV601E | Establish and maintain the environmental management system |
| RIIERR601E | Establish and maintain mine emergency preparedness and response systems |
| RIIMEX601D | Plan pit development |
| RIIMEX602D | Establish and maintain surface product haulage and transport systems |
| RIIMEX604D | Establish and maintain surface product haulage and transport systems |
| RIIBLA602E | Establish and maintain explosives safety and security management systems |
Elective streams provide learners with the flexibility to tailor their training and skill development to their specific roles, interests, and career goals within the mining industry. Elective streams allow individuals to select units that are most relevant to their current responsibilities or areas they wish to specialise in, thereby enhancing their expertise and operational effectiveness. This targeted approach ensures that the training is practical, aligned with industry needs, and supports professional growth by focusing on skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to their work environment.
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| RIIWHS601E | Establish and maintain the WHS management system |
| RIIWMG601D | Establish and maintain water management system |
| RIIRAI603E | Establish and maintain mine transport systems and production equipment |
| RIISAM601E | Establish and maintain plant, equipment and infrastructure maintenance systems |
| BSBLDR602 | Provide leadership across the organisation |
Mine Training Solutions has implemented a robust and integrated system for managing student services, learning and assessment delivery. The use of aXcelerate learning management system (LMS) has streamlined and optimised our educational operations. Below is an overview of assessment methods utilised:
Upon successful completion of the qualification requirements, you will receive a Qualification Certificate and transcript for:
RII60726 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management.
This recognises that you have met the packaging rules for this qualification.
Credit Transfer refers to the formal recognition of units of competency or qualifications that you have previously achieved through any Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Australia. If you have already completed a unit identical or equivalent you may be eligible to apply for a credit transfer. To do so, you’ll need to provide:
If approved, you will not need to repeat training or assessment for that particular unit, potentially reducing your overall study load and completion timeframe. If you have any questions regarding the credit transfer process, our team will be happy to provide guidance and support.
Mine Training Solutions offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment pathways for all of our nationally recognised units of competency and qualifications. If you already have the skills, knowledge and workplace experience required for a unit of competency, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Our RPL assessments are designed around the requirements of each nationally recognised unit of competency, ensuring your existing skills and knowledge are assessed fairly, consistently, and against the relevant industry and training package requirements.
What’s included in an RPL Kit?
Each RPL Kit has been developed specifically for the unit of competency and includes:
Assessment Outcome
Your completed RPL submission is reviewed by a qualified and appointed Mine Training Solutions Assessor. Where additional clarification or evidence is required, you may be asked to participate in a Competency Conversation or provide further supporting documentation before an assessment decision is made.
Recognition of Prior Learning is not an automatic recognition of previous employment, years of experience or prior job roles. It is a formal assessment process that determines whether you can demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to meet the requirements of the nationally recognised unit of competency.
Not sure if RPL is right for you?
Contact Mine Training Solutions to discuss your qualifications, training and workplace experience. We’ll help you determine whether Recognition of Prior Learning is the most appropriate assessment pathway or whether another training option would better suit your needs.
Your completed RPL submission is reviewed by a qualified Mine Training Solutions Assessor. Where additional clarification or evidence is required, you may be asked to participate in a Competency Conversation or provide further supporting documentation. RPL is not an automatic recognition of previous employment or years of experience. It is a structured assessment process that determines whether you currently meet the requirements of the unit of competency. Unsure whether RPL is the right pathway? Contact Mine Training Solutions to discuss your experience with one of our team before applying.
At Mine Training Solutions, workplace-based learning is designed to integrate seamlessly with your daily operations, ensuring that training enhances rather than disrupts your workflow. Our workplace base approach allows participants to apply, implement and maintain the company-specific safety and health management system in real-time, fostering immediate practical understanding and reinforcing learning through actual job tasks.
Training schedules can accommodate shift work and different team schedules, allowing all relevant personnel to participate without impacting productivity. The workplace activities that candidates engage in directly contribute to the application and implementation of the company’s Safety and Health Management System (SHMS). This approach provides positive outcomes not only for the candidates, enhancing their skills and knowledge, but also for the business, fostering a safer work environment and improving overall operational efficiency.
Learning in the workplace promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members, strengthening your organisation’s safety culture and operational resilience. By choosing workplace-based training with Mine Training Solutions, you ensure that your team gains relevant, actionable skills that directly contribute to a safer and more efficient mining operation.
The Mine Training Solutions workplace activities will require third parties—such as senior and statutory position holders (content experts/mentors)—to verify practical skill demonstrations for specific activities and provide feedback based on their observations of the candidate performing these tasks.
Feedback from third parties is a vital component of our assessment process. These ‘Third Parties’ are experienced individuals competent in the tasks candidates are asked to perform. They provide mentoring, guidance, and constructive feedback. The involvement of third parties promotes effective communication and consultation within the mining industry, which is fundamental for the application, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the mine’s Safety and Health Management System.
In addition:
The integration of third parties into the training and assessment framework at Mine Training Solutions is essential for delivering high-quality vocational training. Their role not only aids in verifying candidate’s skills but also emphasises the importance of communication, safety, and continuous improvement within the mining sector.
This is a self-paced qualification that is typically completed within 12 to 18 months. As every learner brings different levels of experience, available study time and workplace commitments, it is difficult to provide an exact completion timeframe. As a general guide, we recommend aiming to complete one unit of competency each month, which provides a steady and manageable pace while allowing sufficient time to complete workplace assessment activities and gather supporting evidence.
At Mine Training Solutions, we specialise in two core delivery methods to cater to the busy schedules and diverse needs of the mining industry: workplace-based training and online delivery. Whether you prefer immersive, on-site instruction that directly applies to your daily operations or a flexible online approach, we ensure our courses are accessible, practical, and relevant to your team’s real-world challenges. Our training programs are designed to be delivered directly at the workplace, allowing participants to learn in a familiar environment that closely reflects their operational context. This approach enhances learning retention and enables immediate application of skills and knowledge in the field.
Minimise downtime and maximise relevance by training where you work. We deliver comprehensive training and assessment directly on-site, allowing your team to gain qualifications on their own equipment in the real-world environment they operate in daily.
The total cost of RII50120 Diploma of Surface Operations Management varies depending on the elective courses selected and the position type you hold.
Costs can differ based on several factors, including the choice of elective units, the application of credit transfers, and recognition of prior learning (RPL). If you have completed relevant courses or units from another recognised institution, you may be eligible for credit transfers, which could reduce your overall training requirements. You’ll need to provide evidence so we can see how credit transfers are applied to your training plan.
When you get in touch with us, we will review your current competencies, develop a tailored training plan, and provide an itemised quote.
The amount shown below is an indicative estimate.
| Title | Fee |
| Corporate Client1 | Enquire Below |
| Student1 | Payment Plan (Pay by the unit / Pay as you go) |
We offer flexible payment options to accommodate your needs, including:
Purchase Order: Ideal for corporate clients and bulk enrolments, allowing your organisation to manage payments through internal processes.
Credit Card: Convenient and secure payments can be made using major credit cards for individual registrations.
Direct Transfer: Suitable for those who prefer bank transfers, ensuring a straightforward and efficient payment method.
Payment Plans: Available for students enrolling in courses over $1,500 AUD, allowing you to spread the payment into manageable monthly installments. This option makes your investment in professional development more accessible and budget-friendly. To set up a payment plan, please contact Mine Training Solutions.
There are no hidden fees, and any requests for extensions can be discussed with our team. Invest in your professional growth and enhance your risk management capabilities with Mine Training Solutions today.
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