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: 

Identify and verify the selected mining horizon 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
11686  Identify and verify the selected mining horizon 
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  3 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 to identify and verify the selected mining horizon.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • demonstrate the knowledge required to identify the selected mining horizon
  • plan and prepare to identify the selected mining horizon
  • identify and verify the selected mining horizon
  • compile and submit reports. 
    		•

    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:
  • Competency in numeracy and literacy skills equivalent to an ABET Level 4
  • Elementary identification of rock types in the mining face. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard covers the identification and verification of the selected mining horizon in underground or surface mining excavations.

    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 the knowledge required identifying and verifying the selected mining horizon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The legal aspects relating to safety and health when working near or at a mining face are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The characteristics of the rock types are explained that are expected in the workplace. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include (a) to (c) of the following:
    a. Immediate roof rocks/hanging wall
    b. Immediate floor rocks/footwall
    c. Selected mining horizon.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The contents of the work instruction are explained and the consequences of non-compliance described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The effect on the health and safety of personnel is explained if the structural geological parameters are not adequately identified and recorded. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include (a) to (c) of the following:
    a. Faults and associated risks
    b. Joints, joint patterns and frequency of occurrence
    c. Brecciation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The consequences and the effect on the reliability of the data are described if the total mining face is not adequately examined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Joints, faults and brecciation are described in terms of their elementary geological characteristics. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plan and prepare to identify the selected mining horizon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Permission to enter the workplace, when required, is obtained in accordance with laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Personal protective equipment is selected and examined for any defects and used in accordance with legal and laid down procedures. Defective personal protective equipment is dealt with in accordance with the laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The tools, materials and equipment required for the identification and verification procedure are selected, examined and verified in accordance with the work instruction received. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The workplace details are determined and verified, all in accordance with the work instruction. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include (a, b and c) of the following:
    a. Locality and accessibility
    b. Orientation of the face
    c. Previous mapping and sampling reports relating to the workplace.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The accessibility, cleanliness and suitability of the face to be examined for the identification and verification of the selected mining horizon is verified and actions to be taken in the event of encountering anomalies are in accordance with the laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Hazardous and sub-standard conditions found during the examination of the workplace are dealt with in accordance with laid down procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include any one or a combination of the following:
  • Slippery surfaces
  • Electricity in close proximity to water
  • Poor visibility/illumination
  • Broken rock
  • Excessive accumulation of water and water depth
  • Unstable mining conditions
  • Excessive mining heights
  • Operating machinery in close proximity.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and verify the selected mining horizon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Work related hazards and associated risks that have an effect on a safe and healthy work environment are dealt with in accordance with the laid down procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include any one or a combination of the following:
  • Eye/facial injuries
  • Hand and foot injuries
  • Incorrect lifting procedures and spinal injuries
  • Chemical/electrical burns
  • Inhalation of toxic and noxious gases.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The tools and equipment required for identification and verification procedure are used in accordance with accepted procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The lithological types in the mining face are identified, measured and recorded in the required format. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include (a) to (f)) of the following:
    a. Main lithological types above and below the selected mining horizon when these are exposed in the face
    b. Main lithological types within the selected mining horizon
    c. Main metamorphic effects when intrusive bodies are present
    d. Deformation features and discontinuities, when present
    e. Partings within the selected mining horizon
    f. Intrusive bodies, such as dolerite sills and dykes of all types.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The measured and recorded data is compared and reconciled against the planned mining horizon in the required format. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Anomalies are recorded that will affect the exploitation and health and safety of people in accordance with laid down procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include any one or a combination of the following:
  • Faults
  • Deformation features
  • Contamination of the selected mining horizon
  • Loss of the mineable selection.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Representative face samples are taken, when required, in accordance with specified requirements as contained in laid down procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Compile and submit reports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The tools, materials and equipment are cleaned and ensured to be ready for future use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The bagging, labeling and handling of the samples, if taken, are in accordance with laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The report(s) are compiled in the required format and submitted to the relevant personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The completion of the work is communicated to the relevant personnel. 


    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:
  • The cognitive ability to read and interpret mining layouts and geological sections that indicates the selected mining horizon
  • The ability to recognise lithological types above, below and within the selected mining horizon and the local geological characteristics of these lithological types
  • The legal requirements regarding access to and from a mining workplace and working near or at a mining face in terms of the Mine, Health and Safety Act 29/1996
  • The ability to identify and recognise anomalous conditions that influences the effective production rate and the impact on costs. 
    		•


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: The cognitive ability of the candidate to identify and verify the selected mining horizon in terms of the mine layout and section plans contributes to his problem solving ability. The ability to effectively identify and reconcile deviations between the information on the mining layouts/ section plans and the geology in the face will indicate the candidate`s problem solving capabilities by using critical and creative thinking to make decisions. The identification of potentially hazardous and/or sub-standard conditions in contaminated areas and the application of effective corrective measures will indicate the candidate`s problem solving ability and the decision making process applied. 

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

    Note: The ability of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to request permission to enter the work place, when required, indicates that he/she can work effectively as a team member in the bigger organisational environment. The effective evacuation of personnel from unstable/unsafe mining areas, if and when required, will indicate the candidate`s relationship with team members and responsibility towards the team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The effective preparation of the planned access route and the identification of potential constraints will 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 ability of the candidate to reconcile actual geological features in and on the face with existing map data and the identification of anomalous conditions will enhance his/her proficiency to collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: The recording of the face data and anomalous conditions and the reporting thereof in the correct format will indicate the candidate`s efficiency in the mode of written presentations. The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to obtain permission to enter the work place, reporting of, and managing of actual and potential 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 correct elementary interpretation of the geology on the face and the correct use of tools and equipment to take samples, when required in accordance with specified requirements will indicate the candidate`s application of science and technology. The identification of hazardous and sub-standard conditions that can have an effect on the environment and the health of others indicate the candidate`s responsible behaviour in these circumstances. 

    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 anomalous face conditions and to deal with these conditions by applying problem solving techniques will indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken have more than one 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 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
  • Minerals Act and Regulations 50/1991
  • Mine Health and Safety Act 29/1996

    SITE SPECIFIC
  • Managerial instructions, including work instructions
  • Codes of practice
  • Standard task procedures
  • Risk assessment documentation
  • Working guides
  • Training manuals
  • Mining layouts and geological sections
  • Education manuals


    MINING FACE is any exposed excavation and can include any one or combination of the following:
  • Development end
  • Pillars
  • High wall/low wall in surface mines
  • Vertical/incline shafts

    TOOLS AND MATERIALS can include any one or a combination of the following:
  • Hammer and chisel
  • Measuring tape
  • Sample bags and tags
  • Marker pens and paint 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65549   National Certificate: Mining Technical Support  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.