Surface Mining Processes And Layouts Fundamentals Training

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of surface mining methods, including open-pit and strip mining.
• Apply safety principles and hazard identification to surface mining operations.
• Analyze mine layouts and explain the function of key operational zones.
• Evaluate the roles of equipment such as draglines, shovels, and haul trucks in the mining cycle.
• Interpret basic mine plans and diagrams to identify infrastructure and material flow.
• Implement environmental control measures in accordance with legislative requirements.

Target Audience

This course is designed for entry-level mining personnel, shift supervisors, and support staff working in or entering the surface mining industry. It is also suitable for engineers and technicians seeking to broaden their understanding of surface mining fundamentals.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, learners should be employed in or have access to a surface mining environment for practical application.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Practical sessions reinforce theoretical knowledge through hands-on activities. Learners will interpret geological maps, design a basic mine layout, and simulate equipment selection to optimize production.

Practical Activities

• Geological Map Interpretation and Mine Layout Design — Learners interpret a geological map and design a simple open-pit layout including benches, ramps, and haul roads. (3h)
• Equipment Selection and Cycle Time Calculation — Using given production targets, learners select appropriate loading and hauling equipment and calculate cycle times. (3h)
• Mine Operations Simulation and Safety Briefing — Learners participate in a tabletop simulation of a mining shift, focusing on coordination and safety protocols. (2h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.