SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician: Strata Control Practitioner (Coal)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
94878	Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician: Strata Control Practitioner (Coal)
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		Fabrication and Extraction
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	264	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
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 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 a learner to operate as a Strata Control Practitioner:Coal A Strata Control Practitioner: Coal assists mine management to implement the code of practice to achieve and maintain a safe and productive working environment by identifying hazards assessing the risk and recommending appropriate and necessary measures to manage rock related risks.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Conduct routine inspections in order to generate a strata control inspection report with recommendations for a designated area of a mine.

Create awareness and understanding of strata control conditions through on-going communication with production team members.

Participate in rock related accident and incident investigations.

Conduct quality control and quality assurance on support material.

Rationale:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the theoretical knowledge, technical skills and practical ability to function as a Strata Control Officer within the mining environment. Strata Control Officers assist personnel engaged in mining operations to ensure:

The safety and efficiency of mining operations.

Pro-active reduction in levels of rock related risk in mining operations.

The development of awareness regarding rock-related risk among mining personnel.

The qualifying learner should be able to assist the Rock Engineer with the design, implementation and monitoring of strategies to reduce rock-related risk, such as mining layouts and support systems. In addition to be able to conduct an assessment and be able to interpret the rock mass behaviour and response.

Seen on a national Level, safe and productive mines operate at an optimal level; with maximum ore body extraction, the lowest possible safety risk and best operating cost. This has spin-off benefits in terms of the sustained production of minerals, with increased generation of revenue for the economy, greater investment in South African mines by particularly overseas investors and sustainable employment opportunities within the mining industry for society in general.

This qualification will equip the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and ability for career pathway to a Strata Control Officer. It is also intended to provide the building blocks upon which to build a further career in rock engineering. Attaining this qualification will improve the learner's skills, thus increasing his 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 result 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:
NQF Level 3 qualification with Mathematics and Physical Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 3 and 4:

Modules at NQF Level 3:

311701008-PM-02, Identify and monitor anomalous ground conditions, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.

311701008-PM-03, Identify deviations from mining and support parameters, and characteristics of geological structures, NQF Level 3, 6 Credits.

311701008-PM-04, Generate a workplace strata control inspection report, NQF Level 3, 6 Credits.

311701008-WM-01, Exposure to the total practical mining processes, NQF Level 3, 40 Credits.

311701008-WM-02, Exposure to workplace strata control inspection processes, NQF Level 3, 20 Credits.

311701008-WM-03, Exposure to Mine transportation and logistics processes, NQF Level 3, 16 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 4:

311701008-KM-01, Rock Engineering Practice (Strata Control-Coal) (1), NQF Level 4, 53 Credits.

311701008-KM-02, Mining Engineering Practice (Strata Control-Coal) (1), NQF Level 4, 25 Credits.

311701008-PM-01, Inspect workplaces using a predetermined risk matrix, NQF Level 4, 14 Credits.

311701008-PM-05, Communicate and coach workers in their working environment, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.

311701008-PM-06, Collect data for accident and incident investigations, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.

311701008-PM-08, Conduct a range of geotechnical index tests, NQF Level 4, 12 Credits.

311701008-PM-07, Check material provided to the mine against the standards and procurement agreements, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.

311701008-WM-08, Exposure to geotechnical sampling and testing processes, NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.

311701008-WM-04, Exposure to formal learning and development processes, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.

311701008-WM-05, Exposure to on job communication and learning processes, NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.

311701008-WM-06, Exposure to Accident and incident investigation processes, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.

311701008-WM-07, Exposure to the mine procurement processes, NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.

Total Credits: 264.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. The ability to inspect the rock strata conditions of workplaces in coal mines.
2. Ability to collect data for accident and incident investigations.
3. Ability to Check support material provided to the mine against the standards and procurement agreements.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Metamorphic rocks including the typical characteristics of various coal quality and the influence of volcanic activity are identified.

The potential consequences of the various structures and fractures on the rock mass including the interaction between them are described.

The link between the existing information on a mine plan is interpreted with the newly plotted information, all links are described and strata control risks associated with these links are indicated and prioritised.

All the risks are correctly listed and the correct reporting levels and urgency indicators are defined.

All mining dimensions are measured and recorded.

A risk matrix value for cumulative hazard rating is calculated and measured and geological structure dimensions are recorded.

The concepts of Areal coverage, Tributary area and Factor of safety are explained.

How stress within the rock mass that affects excavation stability at different depths and in different environments are described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

The area, volume, mass and weight of simple shaped bodies are calculated and related to mining activities and excavations.

How the code of practice is used on mines and what the consequences are of deviations from the code of practice is explained.

The different mining methods are identified and described and the optimal use of the various methods for different conditions is indicated.

Examples of how the risk management principles are applied in the work of the Strata control practitioner are given.

The purpose of the Mine Health and Safety Act is explained and how this applies to the work of the Rock Engineering function is applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

The industry-accepted quality standards and systems for mining support material is identified and described.

How the international standards organisations work and applied in the mining industry is explained.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the Curriculum to guide the learners 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 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. The external assessment will be conducted through a combination of a theoretical assessment and practical demonstration at assessment sites (which could be a workplace) registered by the AQP by registered Assessors qualified as a Miller with 10 years on-the-job experience in the industry, and 2 years' experience as a tutor and Assessor.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Southern African mining industry finds itself in a unique situation, in that most mining operations are very labour-intensive, with the workforce generally having a low standard of education. Comparable operations in overseas countries are highly mechanised, with well-qualified operators. In line with this approach, overseas mines do not have rock engineering departments, strata control issues are handled by the production personnel, while higher-level rock engineering is contracted to specialist consultancies.

For this reason, international comparability for Strata Control qualifications from Levels 2 to 4 is extremely difficult. While there may well be study material available for these Levels, it is intended for use by production employees and is not of a specialist nature.

Unit Standards Found:
A number of unit standards (competencies) were found on the Australian framework that was packaged in Underground Coal Operations qualifications:

MNCU053A Conduct basic strata control operations.

MNCU054A Conduct Advanced Strata control operations.

There were also units at Technical Management Level (not related to a qualification):

MNCU131A Establish the mining method and strata control system.

MNCU132A Implement the strata management plan.

MNCU133A Apply and monitor the strata management plan.

Relevant unit standards were also found on the New Zealand framework (Domain: Metalliferous Mining (Underground):

15662 Evaluate ground conditions and design support methods for underground mines and tunnels.

15666 Demonstrate knowledge of geology of underground extraction sites.

The United States and Canada are considered leaders in the world in terms of mining methodology, equipment and training. Edumine offers professional development courses. Rock Engineering for non-engineers in mining addresses rock engineering (strata control) issues for personnel of mining companies who are not directly involved in mining.

The (USA) National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) offers a qualification in ground control covering:

Using Mines Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) statistics and extensive interactions with the mining community to identify the most critical hazards.

Employing state-of-the-art strata control science in a targeted program of research that develops practical solutions.

Aggressively transferring research results to end users in the mining community.

Serving as the mining community's resource for the best strata control information available, and providing training and technical assistance consistent with this mission.

Conclusion:
International comparability in this instance has not revealed comparable qualifications for one or more of the following reasons:

The Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Strata Control Level 4 is a very specific qualification while the relevant units found internationally are packaged into broader qualifications at this Level or higher.

The reason for South African unit standards and qualifications representing a learning path starting at lower Levels is mainly due to the relatively low educational base of the majority of workers in the mining industry. The progression of qualifications from Level 2 through to Level 4 seek to address the education gap and give learners the opportunity to articulate to higher Levels, and hence advance their prospects with regards to career development.

The combination of geology, survey and sampling competencies into a single qualification is a unique approach that has not been seen elsewhere.

The unique circumstances of the South African mining industry such as diversity, skills shortages etc.

Legal requirements, particularly with regards to Occupational Health and Safety.

The competencies covered by the FETC: Strata Control Level 4 is needed by employers and learners in the mining industry. It is highly motivated that learners should learn towards and be assessed against the relevant standards. Despite lack of any internationally comparable qualifications, it is nevertheless deemed a valuable and relevant qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally with the Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician (Strata Control Practitioner: Underground Hardrock) NQF Level 4.

This qualification articulates vertically with the Occupational Certificate: Rock Engineering Practitioner (to be developed).

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
To be accepted as a candidate for the final assessment learners must provide proof of completing the theory, practical skills and work experience including the Foundational Learning Competence.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
Candidates must meet the regulatory medical requirements for working in an underground and surface coal mine.

Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
Accreditation of providers to provide this qualification will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website. The curriculum title and code is:
Strata Control Practitioner: Coal, 311701008.

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.

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