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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of excavation stability in a rock pass 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115545  Demonstrate an understanding of excavation stability in a rock pass 
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  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2004-08-11  2007-08-11  SAQA 0655/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-08-11   2011-08-11  

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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are responsible for achieving mining excavation stability with support in a rock pass.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the factors influencing the stability of a rock pass.
  • Describe the functions of a rock pass support system and the factors influencing the choice of support for a rock pass.
  • Demonstrate knowledge to monitor support installation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Communication skills (Language at ABET Level 3).
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of support principles.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of monitoring and instrumentation.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the generic support types, their behaviour and applications. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the factors influencing the stability of a rock pass. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic explanations of geological factors influencing the stability of the rock pass are provided. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Low strength horizons.
  • Tectonic structure intersections such as faults, bedding, layering, dykes, joints and sills.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic explanations of the influence of stress on the stability of the rock pass are provided. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Principal stresses
  • Stress concentrations
  • Stress fracturing
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability or inability to site the rock pass in a favourable location is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Proximity to orebody and shaft system
  • Zone of influence to other excavations
  • Orientation relative to dominant geological structures
  • Orientation relative to principal stress directions
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe functions of rock pass support system and factors influencing choice of support. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Describe the functions of a rock pass support system and the factors influencing the choice of support for a rock pass. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The description of the functions of a rock pass support system are provided. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Prevention of falls of loose rock.
  • Control of the fractured zone around the rock pass.
  • Prevention of erosion of loose and fractured rock by rock movement down the pass.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The mine specific factors to be considered for choosing rock pass support systems are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Condition of the rock mass, competency and presence of geological features
  • Initial and anticipated state of stress
  • Anticipated extent of failed rock
  • Method of excavation, shape and inclination
  • Purpose
  • Planned life
  • Tonnage to be handled
  • Strategic importance
  • Abrasiveness of rock moving down the pass
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inappropriate support are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge to monitor support installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Quality control inspections are performed according to mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explanations are provided regarding the density and installation of the specified support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The installation of the permanent support is conducted according to mine specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work site is examined for substandard conditions and hazards that are dealt with in accordance with mine specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of deviating from mine specific procedures concerning support installation and quality control are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Health and safety 
    		•

    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 candidate to relate the effect of the mining environment on the stability of orepasses confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to request assistance with support evaluation in an appropriate manner confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The preparation for rock pass and support evaluation must indicate that the candidate can organise and manage activities in his/her work environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The candidate must be able to recognise changing conditions and be able to interpret and apply mine procedures and standards. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
  • Note: The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazardous and sub-standard conditions will indicate his/her 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 knowledge of appropriate mechanised equipment and support types as well as consideration of a variety of types indicates effective use 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 understanding of the consequences of inappropriate support relates this standard to the holistic operation and function of a mine. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology

    Specified Requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 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/instructions

    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


    Unit Standard Justification
  • Skills: Level 2: Moderate in range
  • Procedures: Level 2: Established and familiar
  • Context: Level 3: Range of familia
  • Knowledge: Level 3: Some relevant theoretical
  • Information processing: Level 2: Basic processing of readily available information
  • Problem Solving: Level 3: A range of known responses to familiar problems, base on limited discretion and judgement.
  • Orientation of activities: Level 3: Directed, with some autonomy
  • Application of responsibility: Level 3: Significant responsibility for the quantity and quality of output, and possible responsibility for the output of others
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility: Level 4: Under broad guidance and evaluation

    Average Level: = 2.78
    Actual Level Assigned: = 3


    Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:
  • Classroom Teaching: 8 hours
  • On-The-Job Training: 16 hours
  • Total: 24 hours

    Credits Achieved: = 24 / 10 = 2.4
    Credits Assigned: = 2 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  60369   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  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.