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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of igneous rocks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261797  Demonstrate an understanding of igneous rocks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
115705  Demonstrate an understanding of igneous rocks  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who work or intend to work within a mining and minerals context.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the processes that result in the derivation of igneous rocks, their classification and distribution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principal characteristics of fine grained igneous rocks.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principal characteristics of medium grained igneous rocks.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principal characteristics of coarse grained igneous rocks. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2.
  • Basic understanding of rock and mineral types.
  • Basic understanding of geological processes.
  • Basic understanding of plate tectonics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the processes that result in the derivation of igneous rocks, their classification and distribution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The processes involved in the derivation of igneous rocks are identified, defined and discussed in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Crystallisation from magma.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The common classification systems for igneous rocks are discussed in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Grain size.
  • Colour/mineralogy.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The position of the common igneous rocks within the Earth's crust is identified and discussed in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Plutonic.
  • Hypabyssal.
  • Extrusive.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The common sites for the derivation of igneous rocks are identified in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Subduction zones.
  • Mid-oceanic ridges.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of the principal characteristics of fine grained and glassy igneous rocks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The common classification systems for the fine grained and glassy igneous rocks are discussed and applied to a range of typical samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Typical sites for the formation of fine grained and glassy igneous rocks are identified and discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mineralogy of typical fine grained and glassy igneous rocks is discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The textures of typical fine grained and glassy igneous rocks are described and defined in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The structures of typical fine grained and glassy igneous rocks are described and defined in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The principal forms of mineralisation associated with fine grained and glassy igneous rocks are identified and examples from South Africa provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The typical landforms associated with fine grained and glassy igneous rocks are identified and described in the mining context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate understanding of the principal characteristics of medium grained igneous rocks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The common classification systems for the medium grained igneous rocks are discussed and applied to a range of typical samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Typical sites for the formation of medium grained igneous rocks are identified and discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mineralogy of typical medium grained igneous rocks is discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The textures of typical medium grained igneous rocks are described and defined in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The structures of typical medium grained igneous rocks are described and defined in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The principal forms of mineralisation associated with medium grained igneous rocks are identified and examples from South Africa provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The typical landforms associated with medium grained igneous rocks are identified and described in the mining context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the principal characteristics of coarse grained igneous rocks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The common classification systems for the coarse grained igneous rocks are discussed and applied to a range of typical samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Typical sites for the formation of coarse grained igneous rocks are identified and discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mineralogy of typical coarse grained igneous rocks is discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The textures of typical coarse grained igneous rocks are described and defined in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The structures of typical coarse grained igneous rocks are described and defined in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The principal forms of mineralisation associated with coarse grained igneous rocks are identified and examples from South Africa provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The typical landforms associated with coarse grained igneous rocks are identified and described. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated manner in the unit standard:
  • The mineralogy of igneous rocks.
  • The textures of igneous rocks.
  • The classification of igneous rocks.
  • The structures of igneous rocks.
  • The sites of formation of igneous rocks.
  • The types of mineralisation common to different igneous rocks. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: The ability of the learner to identify characteristics of individual igneous rock types, textures, structures and mineralisation contributes to his/her problem solving ability. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The ability of the learner to integrate the geological data to provide a coherent model of the igneous rock indicates that the learner can organise and manage activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: The ability of the learner to integrate the geological data pertaining to igneous rocks, their textures and structures into a model will enhance the learners proficiency to collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: The ability of the learner to reconcile the data from various sources will indicate the learner's proficiency in effective communication. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: The analysis of the geological data pertaining to the various igneous types described will indicate the learners understanding of science and technology. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: The ability of the learner to understand the relationship between different igneous rock types, their structures, textures, mineralogy and mineralisation will contribute to their understanding of the whole world. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Reflect on, and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively and to contribute to the full development of each learner to enhance the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Note: The ability of the learner to explore more than one strategy to analyse the different igneous rock types, textures and structures can be applied inside and outside the work environment to enhance the socio-economic development of family-life and the community at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 115705, "Demonstrate an understanding of igneous rocks", Level 4, 6 credits.

    Terminology:

    Specified requirements and/or laid down procedures are contained in one or more of the following:

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act and Regulations, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    Site-Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65549   National Certificate: Mining Technical Support  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.