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: 

Drill holes using Down The Hole Drill 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
11671  Drill holes using Down The Hole Drill 
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 2  NQF Level 02 
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 drilling holes using a Down the Hole Drill. People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • prepare to drill holes;
  • drill holes; and
  • monitor drilling operation. 

  • 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:
  • Knowledge of in-pit operation
  • Knowledge of strata (identification of strata)
  • An understanding of the basic principles of information technology. 

  • 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 to drill holes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Job instructions are interpreted correctly and the sequence of operations is determined according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Hazard identification and hazard control are conducted to comply with risk assessment requirements to eliminate, minimise or control risk of ill health and injuries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Pre-use inspection is conducted in such a way as to identify all equipment defects that may impair production or cause damage to equipment or injury to people. Defects are reported or rectified as per site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The work area is examined and hazards and defects are reported or rectified in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards and defects must include the following:
  • Overhang
  • Large rocks
  • Bench edges
  • Power failures
  • Moving machinery
  • Water accumulations
  • Underfoot conditions.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The preparation for drilling operation is conducted in accordance with marked-out area, drilling plans and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The lockout procedure is described and adhered to in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Machine support procedure is explained and adhered to wherever applicable in accordance with specified requirements. (Machine support means supporting of components before any repairs or maintenance is conducted). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. Consequences of inadequate preparation are described in terms of potential effects on safety, health, production and damage to equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation must include the following:
  • Lock-out procedure
  • Work area examination
  • Pre-use inspection.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. Approved supplied personal protective equipment and hygiene consumables usage are explained and adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    10. The use of on-board safety systems are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    On-board safety system must include the following:
  • Automatic on-board or manual fire extinguisher
  • Emergency stop
  • Pre-start alarm
  • Reverse alarm if applicable
  • Rotating flashing light if applicable.
     

  • SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Drill holes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The machine is started up and shut down in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The machine operation is conducted and defects are reported or repaired in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Holes are drilled at a rate that is in accordance with the pre-determined target. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The machine operations are co-ordinated in such a manner as to enhance teamwork and avoid conflict within complementary operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Reporting and recording are conducted in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reporting and recording must include the following:
  • Reporting to supervisor
  • Submitting reports
  • Logbook entries
  • Permit documentation.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Relocation of machine is done in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Work methods comply with specified requirements to eliminate, minimise or control the risk of ill health and injuries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. Feedback is provided to the in-coming shift with regard to machine condition, environmental hazards and sub-standard conditions in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor drilling operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The machine's performance and condition are monitored and hazards and defects are addressed in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Machine's performance and condition must include the following:
  • Rate of consumable usage
  • Instrument readings to be within limits of manufacturer's specifications
  • Physical damage
  • Performance rate as prescribed by manufacturer and mine specific requirements.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The work area is continuously monitored and safety hazards are reported in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Occupational environmental elements are monitored and hazards are reported in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Occupational and environmental elements must include the following:
  • Dust
  • Water
  • Illumination
  • Noise
  • Fire and weather conditions.
     


  • 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. Without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge, candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes to the standards described in the assessment criteria. 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. 


    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 identify substandard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 

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

    Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment are required, and to communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions and the assistance required. 

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

    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from visual and physical examinations and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 

    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 hazards and substandard conditions will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication. 

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

    Note: The use of science and technology is not relevant for this unit standard. 

    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 candidate to identify and refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms his/her understanding of the fact that a specific observation, inference, action or decision may have a devastating effect. 

    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 is able to 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, namely 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 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
  • SABS and other relevant standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` Directives

    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  21842   National Certificate: Surface Mining Rockbreaking  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2008-09-17  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.
     
    1. AMAMDAWU TRAINING AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    2. AMC TRAINING CENTRE 
    3. Anglo American Platinum Limited - Mogalakwena Mining Training Centre 
    4. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    5. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    6. BALEPJE COLLABORATION OF SUCCESS 
    7. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    8. DEI GRATIA TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION 
    9. ELITE OPERATOR AND SKILLS TRAINING 
    10. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    11. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    12. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    13. GLENCORE OPERATIONS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 
    14. HOTAZEL MANGANESE MINES (PTY) LTD 
    15. JAREMA TRAINING AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    16. JUAB GENERAL DEALER 
    17. KOLOMELA MINE 
    18. KUDUMANE MANGANESE RESOURCES (PTY) LTD 
    19. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    20. Kumba Iron Ore Thabazimbi 
    21. Kumba Sishen HRD Centre 
    22. KWITSIMA GROUP(PTY)LTD 
    23. LICENCE WISE TRAINING SPECIALISTS 
    24. malandela Training and Development (PTY)LTD 
    25. MATHABA MINING GROUP 
    26. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    27. MEDIRO TRAINING ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    28. MZILA INSTITUTE OF EXCELLENCE (PTY) LTD 
    29. POWERGATE TRAINING PTY LTD 
    30. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    31. SANDVIK MINING & CONSTRUCTION (Jet Park)(WA) 
    32. SARCHA TRAINING SOLUTIONS(PTY)LTD 
    33. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    34. SETLOBOKGO HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD 
    35. SMC MINING AND DRILLING TRAINING ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    36. STARCROW 36 (PTY) LTD 
    37. TEC HRD CONSULTANTS 
    38. THARISA MINERALS (PTY) LTD 
    39. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    40. TOTAL COVERAGE CONSULTING 
    41. TRAIN THE NATION AND ASSOCIATES (PTY) LTD 
    42. TROLLOPE PLANT HIRE 
    43. True-Blue Training (Pty) Ltd 
    44. TSHUANA DI SA HWEGO HRD SOLUTIONS 
    45. ULYNN MINING TRAINING AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    46. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD 



    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.