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: 

Record geotechnical data and draw up a local geotechnical plan 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115549  Record geotechnical data and draw up a local geotechnical plan 
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  4 
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 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 recording geotechnical data and transferring recorded data onto a plan.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Prepare to record geotechnical data.
  • Record geotechnical data.
  • Prepare to transfer recorded data onto a plan.
  • Transfer recorded geotechnical data onto a plan. 
    		•

    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:
  • National Introductory Certificate to Mining and Minerals (Level 1)
  • Proficiency in geometry and trigonometry at NQF Level 3
  • Transfer recorded information onto a plan
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of mining geology 
    		•

    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 
    Prepare for geotechnical data recording. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of geotechnical structure to be included in records is described for local conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Faults, dykes, sills, potholes, rolls, joints, veins, shear bands, thrusts, bedding, layering, domes, slips (coal).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The geotechnical data to be recorded is in line with mine specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Orientation
  • Spacing
  • Persistence
  • Roughness
  • Wall strength
  • Aperture
  • Filling
  • Seepage
  • Number of sets
  • Block size
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Record geotechnical data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The record sheets are prepared and presented in a format consistent with mine specific format requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The mine specific methods used for geotechnical data recording are applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The completed record sheets are appropriately referenced and filed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of non-compliance in recording geotechnical data according to specified requirements are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare for transferring recorded geotechnical data onto a plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose for which the geotechnical plan is intended is known and understood. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Geographical location of mapping area
  • Geological structures
  • Correlation of geological structures within the geographical location
  • Design
  • Excavation stability
  • Safety
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An appropriately scaled plan is chosen depicting all relevant information that is in accordance with its intended purpose. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Grid lines and coordinates
  • Scale
  • Datum
  • Legend for existing information
  • Outlines of excavations relevant to purpose of the plan
  • Position and reference numbers of survey pegs
  • Contours of orebody elevations
  • Names of surface and/or underground infrastructure used for referencing
  • Annotation of true or magnetic north direction
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The appropriate tools for drawing up the plan are available and their working condition checked. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Scale rule, compass, protractor, set square, divider.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Construct a local geotechnical plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information is transferred from recording sheets to the plan using specified methods and formats. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Nomenclature, symbols, colours, correct locations for symbols, correct line types and thickness
  • Legend
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The position of lines for drawing sections from the geotechnical plan are annotated and appropriately referenced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inaccurate construction of the geotechnical plan are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The completed plans are appropriately referenced and filed. 


    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 recorded and transferred data to the intended purpose of the geotechnical plan 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 explain the methods employed to record and transfer data to plan users confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to source equipment, prepare and systematically conduct the tasks required to prepare a plan. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to record the observations and transfer it onto a plan confirms. 
    		•

    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 other personnel to assist their understanding of the contents of the records and plan confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The use of science and technology is promoted through the understanding of improved ways to catalogue data relevant to mine design and thus safety confirms. 
    		•

    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 inaccurate data capture and transfer on mine design and the safety of workers confirms. 
    		•

    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. 
    		•

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

    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
  • International Society for Rock Mechanics (Suggested methods for rock characterisation, testing and monitoring)
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/instructions

    Site-specific:
  • Managerial Instructions
  • Mine Standard Procedures
  • Working Guides
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications


    Unit Standard Justification
  • Skills: Level 3: Well-developed range
  • Procedures: Level 2: Established and familiar.
  • Context: Level 3: Range of familiar.
  • Knowledge: Level 2: Basic operational
  • Information processing: Level 2: Basic processing of readily available information
  • Problem Solving: Level 2: Known solutions to familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities: Level 3: Directed, with some autonomy.
  • Application of responsibility: Level 2: Some responsibility for quantity and quality, and possible responsibility for guiding others.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility: Level 4: Under broad guidance and evaluation.

    Average Level: = 2.56
    Actual Level Assigned: = 3


    Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:
  • Classroom Teaching: 16 hours
  • On-The-Job Training: 24 hours
  • Total: 40 hours

    Credits Achieved: = 40 / 10 = 4.0
    Credits Assigned: = 4 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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.