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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Geotechnical Practitioner 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110670  Occupational Certificate: Geotechnical Practitioner 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  344  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2019-09-11  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare the learner to operate as a Geotechnical Practitioner. A Geotechnical Practitioner identifies, defines, describes, assesses, quantifies and compiles data for the geotechnical environment; specifies and designs geotechnical systems and processes; designs mine excavation layouts; and carries out administrative, supervisory and management functions, processes and procedures for tabular hard rock, tabular soft rock, massive or surface mining operations, as applicable.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Perform geotechnical processes.
  • Carry out geotechnical operations.

    Rationale:
    Mineral resource exploitation, beneficiation and export are key components of the Southern African economy. On a national level, safe and productive mines operate at optimal efficiency with maximum mineral body extraction, the lowest possible safety risk and best operating cost. The benefits of sustained production of minerals, increased generation of revenue for the economy, greater investment in South African mines, by particularly overseas investors, and sustainable employment opportunities impact on the mining and minerals sector and the wider economy.

    Learners entering this qualification will typically be strata control practitioners. The Occupational Certificate: Geotechnical Practitioner will equip the learner with the necessary theoretical knowledge, technical skills and practical ability and work experience to be a Geotechnical Practitioner in the mining and minerals sector, a position regulated by the Mine Health and Safety Act. Attaining this qualification will progress the career of the learner in geotechnical engineering thus increasing potential employability. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician: Strata Control Practitioner (Coal), Level 4.
    Or
  • Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician (Strata Control Practitioner: Underground Hardrock), Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules.

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-01, Geology, Soils and Rock Types, Level 5, 4 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-02, Geological Sequences, Structural Geology and Hydrogeology, Level 6, 4 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-03, Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, Rock and Rock Mass Properties and Data Collection, Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-04, Geotechnical Engineering, Rock Mass Classification, Soil and Solid Mechanics, Level 6, 12 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-05, Geotechnical Engineering, Rock Property Determination, Rock Mass Classification, Seismicity and Numerical Modelling, Level 7, 12 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-06, Mining Fundamentals, Level, 5, 8 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-07, Mining, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-08, Administrative Functions, Level 5, 4 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-09, Supervision, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-KM-10, Management, Level 7, 12 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 80 Credits.

    Practical Skill Modules
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-01, Identify, define and describe, the geotechnical environment, Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-02, Analyse, assess and compile data for the geotechnical environment, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-03, Interpret and quantify the geotechnical environment, Level 7, 16 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-04, Analyse and specify the geotechnical environment, Level 6, 24 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-05, Develop and design geotechnical engineering systems and processes for the geotechnical environment, Level 7, 28 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-06, Develop mine stability/support strategies, Level 6, 12 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-07, Perform creative procedural design and synthesis of mine excavation layouts, Level 7, 20 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-PM-08, Carry out administrative and supervisory functions, processes and procedures, Level 7, 52 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 168.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 311701009-000-00-WM-01, Develop, implement, and manage effective and safe geotechnical designs, systems and processes, Level 7, 64 Credits.
  • 311701009-000-00-WM-02, Manage geotechnical engineering operations, Level 7, 32 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 96. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, diagnose, analyse and quantify exactly, by research or calculation, the geological and geotechnical environment for the mining operation, independently validating the sources of information and data, and accessing, processing and managing the information and data for defined geological and geotechnical procedures, processes, systems and methodologies, produce and communicate results, conclusions and recommendations.
    2. Oversee and apply rock testing, investigation, evaluation and monitoring techniques and processes, including numeric modelling, to analyse and determine the rock behaviour, for current or proposed mining operations, independently validating the sources of information and data, accessing, processing and managing information and data; and produce and communicate results, conclusions and recommendations.
    3. Specify, develop and design safe, effective and optimised geotechnical solutions for the geotechnical environment, independently validating the sources of information and data, accessing, processing and managing information and data; and produce and communicate results, conclusions and recommendations.
    4. Develop geotechnical layouts and designs, including recommending remedies and/ or alternative strategies, independently validating the sources of information and data; accessing, processing and manage information and data; and produce and communicate results, conclusions and recommendations.
    E5. Manage geotechnical procedures, processes and functions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The geological geotechnical environment is identified, diagnosed, analysed and quantified, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards, for familiar, as well as unfamiliar contexts.
  • Geological and geotechnical characteristics, including rock mass behaviour, are critically interpreted and quantified, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Reasoning, critical analysis and calculation of the mining, geological and geotechnical environment is performed, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Integrated knowledge, comprehension, methods and evaluation of mining geological and geotechnical theories, concepts, processes and procedures is demonstrated.
  • Results, conclusions and recommendations are produced and communicated effectively.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Rock testing, investigation, evaluation and monitoring, including numeric modelling, techniques and processes are analysed, evaluated and addressed, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • The rock properties and behaviour are analysed, evaluated and defined, and criteria for an acceptable geotechnical solution are identified, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards Reasoning, critical analysis and calculation of the rock behaviour is performed, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Results, conclusions and recommendations are produced and communicated effectively.
  • Potential solutions that would lead to a workable geotechnical environment are evaluated, generated, formulated, reported and communicated, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Integrated knowledge, comprehension, analysis and evaluation of mining geological and geotechnical theories, concepts, principles, processes and procedures is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Geotechnical solutions are specified, designed, compiled and developed, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Reasoning, critical analysis and calculation of the geological and geotechnical environment is performed, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Geotechnical solutions are communicated, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Integrated knowledge, comprehension, analysis and evaluation of mining geological and geotechnical theories, concepts, principles, processes and procedures is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Geotechnical layouts and designs, including recommending remedies and/ or alternative strategies, are designed and compiled correctly, and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Reasoning, critical analysis and development of geotechnical layouts and designs is performed, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Geotechnical layouts and designs are communicated, in accordance with operating criteria and standards Integrated knowledge, comprehension, analysis and evaluation of mining.
  • Geological and geotechnical theories, concepts, principles, processes and procedures is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Data collection is managed, controlled and communicated, correctly and in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Departmental procedures and processes are developed, communicated, implemented and managed, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Geotechnical staff activities, outputs, performance and career development of are managed, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • The Mine Manager is assisted with preparation of geotechnical budgets; and related expenditure is monitored and controlled, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Risk management processes are developed, implemented and maintained, in accordance with operating criteria and standards; On-the-job coaching, training and mentoring is provided, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Integrated knowledge, comprehension and application of administrative and management theories, systems, concepts, processes and procedures is demonstrated, including the ability to act ethically and professionally, in accordance with operating criteria and standards.
  • Accountability, in respect of which a learner is able to demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources is demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    South Africa pioneered deep level and, in particular, ultra-deep level mining. To accomplish this, the South African mining and minerals sector is at the forefront of geotechnical engineering practice.

    A search was carried out for occupational training and development programmes internationally for Geotechnical Practitioners. Whilst modules in geotechnical engineering are offered around the world, South Africa is the only country to have geotechnical practitioners in the organisational structure.

    In other countries, the geotechnical field is a field within mining operations and management. For example, Australia has occupational certificates and diplomas from Levels 1- 6 in Metalliferous Mining, Surface Extraction, and Underground Mining Operations and Management, which include units of competency which are common to this qualification.

    These include:
  • Develop teams and individuals.
  • Promote innovation in a team environment.
  • Show leadership in the workplace.
  • Implement continuous improvement.
  • Monitor a safe workplace.
  • Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.
  • Develop work priorities.
  • Monitor and control the effects of blasting on the environment.
  • Apply, monitor and report on compliance systems.
  • Conduct safety and health investigations.
  • Apply risk management processes.
  • Carry out the risk management processes.
  • Assess competence.
  • Participate in assessment validation.
  • Provide work skill instruction.

    Competencies which are specific to the geotechnical field include applying and monitoring systems for stable mining. However, courses are available for geotechnical engineering. Examples offered by the University of Queensland, are:
  • Geotechnical Investigation and Testing.
  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Mine Geotechnical Engineering.

    The contents of these courses include:
  • Purpose of geotechnical investigation and testing; geotechnical site investigation; planning a geotechnical investigation and testing program; laboratory testing methods for soils and rocks, their applications and limitations, and their interpretation; geotechnical parameter assessment.
  • Application of soil mechanics knowledge to geotechnical engineering analysis and design; earth pressure; retaining walls; basement excavations; bearing capacity; shallow footings; domestic footings; piled footings; settlement; slope stability; dynamic pile testing.
  • Surface excavations - stability of slopes formed in soil and rock; stability of embankments; road design.
  • Topics include: mining method selection, geotechnical risk, data collection and rock structural mapping, fill and tailing dams, slope stability, coal geomechanics, numerical methods in mining, rock reinforcement/support techniques, monitoring of rock mass deformation and caving geomechanics.
  • Underground excavations - application of rock mass classification systems and stability charts; hazard assessment; geotechnical risks; vertical development; pillar mechanics and design; excavation stability; caving geomechanics; longwall geomechanics; ground control systems and techniques; backfill design and applications; subsidence; dynamic events.

    Topics include: mining method selection, geotechnical risk, data collection and rock structural mapping, fill and tailing dams, slope stability, coal geomechanics, numerical methods in mining, rock reinforcement/support techniques, monitoring of rock mass deformation and caving geomechanics.

    In addition, the University of Queensland now offers a four-year qualification in Mining and Geotechnical Engineering (Dual Major) with the following courses in the third and fourth year respectively:
  • CIVL4270-2: Geotechnical Investigation and Testing.
  • MINE3121-2: Mining Geomechanics.

    These courses aim to provide students with the basic knowledge required to undertake geomechanical investigations and design tasks. The course consists of two main modules:
  • Deformable Materials, which covers basics of materials behaviour; stress-strain, failure criteria, stress-and-strain tensors.
  • Rock Mechanics including rock material and rock mass behaviours, rock mass strength and deformability, strength of discontinuities, basic rock testing, rock mass classification systems, response of rock mass to underground excavation, stress measurement, time dependant and dynamic behaviour of rocks and rock slope stability.
  • MINE3122-2: Mining Systems.

    This course presents a systems approach to the principles, design and application of the major surface and underground mining methods together with the associated equipment, services and infrastructure:
  • ERTH3250-2: Hydrogeology.
  • MINE3123-2: Mine Planning.
  • MINE3125-2: Rock Breakage.
  • MINE4120-2: Mine Geotechnical Engineering.
  • MINE4124-2: Hard Rock Mine Design and Feasibility.
  • MINE4128-2: Coal Mine Strata Control.
  • CIVL4280-2: Advanced Rock Mechanics.

    Applications of rock mechanics; investigation of rock masses; in situ and laboratory testing of rocks, their applications and limitations, and their interpretation; rock mass classification systems; rock parameter assessment; rock support and excavation lining systems; and analytical and numerical analyses of rock masses, including example applications to rock slopes, underground excavations in rock, and rock support and excavation lining systems:
  • ENGG4900-2: Professional Practice and the Business Environment.
  • MINE4123-2: Mining Research Project II [2].
  • MINE4125-2: Coal Mine Design and Feasibility.

    All these elements are included in the curriculum of this qualification.

    Similar courses are available in the United States of America and Canada. An example is the University of Illinois, which includes modules in earthquake engineering, deep excavation, soil structure interaction, stabilized earth support systems, tunnelling and rock behaviour.

    Australia, Canada and the United States are similar to South Africa in occupational training and development and Australia, in particular, has a well-developed mining and mineral sector. This qualification covers the knowledge, practical and workplace components contained in the above programmes.

    Conclusion:
    Whilst occupational geotechnical practitioner qualifications are not being offered elsewhere in the world, it can be seen from the above that components of the qualification follow international training practice and it may be concluded that this qualification meets international standards. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically with the following qualification:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Supervisor, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
  • In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.
  • Foundational learning competence is not a pre-requisite for awarding this qualification.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    Physical requirements:
  • Meet health and medical requirements.

    Legal requirements:
  • Geotechnical Engineering Practitioner specific requirements under the Mine Health and Safety Act.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
  • Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

    The curriculum title and code is:
  • Geotechnical Engineering Practitioner: 311701009-000-00-00.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners` Records Database (NLRD):
  • This qualification does not replace any recorded trade.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
  • Mining Qualification Authority (MQA)

    Part-Qualifications:
  • None. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.