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 the identification of and dealing with rock strata conditions 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244453  Demonstrate an understanding of the identification of and dealing with rock strata conditions 
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  5 
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 have responsibility for the identification of and dealing with rock strata conditions within an underground working place.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe the specified requirements for rock strata control pertaining to geological conditions in an underground working place.
  • Describe the specified requirements for rock strata control pertaining to mining induced ground conditions in an underground working place.
  • Describe the significant risks associated with geological and mining induced conditions in an underground working place.
  • Describe the specified requirements for rock strata control pertaining to support and mining spans in an underground working place.

    The knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard contribute to social and economic transformation and the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector by having an understanding how to identify and deal with rock strata conditions in an underground workplace as part of the mining process.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of persons responsible for the identification of and dealing with rock strata conditions in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable, competent and informed workers. 
    		•

    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:
  • The ability to read and write at ABET 3 level or equivalent. 
    		•

    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 
    Describe the specified requirements for rock strata control pertaining to geological conditions in an underground working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation regarding the identification of geological conditions and the influence that these geological conditions have on the rock strata in an underground working place is consistent with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Geological conditions must include:
  • Jointing.
  • Faults.
  • Dykes and sills.
  • Key blocks.
  • Bedding planes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation regarding the dealing with geological conditions is consistent with specified requirements in terms of demarcation, method, size and type of support installed and measures taken to prevent injuries, property damage and time delays. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Geological conditions must include:
  • Jointing.
  • Faults.
  • Dykes and sills.
  • Key blocks.
  • Bedding planes.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the specified requirements for rock strata control pertaining to mining induced ground conditions in an underground working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation regarding the identification of mining induced ground conditions and the influence that these mining induced ground conditions have on the rock strata in an underground working place is consistent with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mining induced ground conditions must include:
  • Brows.
  • Bed separation.
  • Fracturing.
  • Loose rocks.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation regarding the methods of dealing with mining induced ground conditions is consistent with specified requirements in terms of demarcation, method, size and type of support installed and measures taken to prevent injuries, property damage and time delays. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mining induced ground conditions must include:
  • Jointing.
  • Faults.
  • Dykes and sills.
  • Key blocks.
  • Bedding planes.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the significant risks associated with geological and mining induced conditions in an underground working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The significant risks associated with geological conditions in an underground working place are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significant risks associated with mining induced conditions in an underground working place are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the specified requirements for rock strata control pertaining to support and mining spans in an underground working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation how the control of rock strata is influenced by the installation of pre-stressed support is consistent with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation regarding the tendon support specifications to accommodate significant changes in spans of mining excavations is consistent with specified requirements. 


    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 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Causes and effects, implications of:
  • Hazards and risks not dealt with.
  • Sub-standard work practices.
  • Sub-standard use of tools and equipment.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Rock strata control techniques.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Safety, occupational health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements.

    Relationships, systems:
  • Interpersonal interaction with team members. 
    		•

    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 learner to understand the identification of sub-standard and hazardous conditions, and to understand how to assess and take appropriate action. 

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

    Note: Working effectively with others as members is not relevant to this unit standard. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to indicate what methods are used to deal with sub-standard and hazardous conditions. 

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

    Note: Not relevant to this unit standard. 

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

    Note: The ability to explain rock strata control measures and requirements 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 occupational health of others.

    Note: The learner demonstrates an understanding of and ability to use advanced mining technology in terms of production, safety and communication. 

    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 learner to understand how to identify and deal with sub-standard and hazardous conditions also contributes to the safety of colleagues. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    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.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.

    Site Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications of 1993.

    Notes to Assessors:

    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, 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 learner 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 learner 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 Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 2; Moderate in range.
  • Procedures; Level 2; Established and familiar.
  • Context; Level 3; The learner knows all contexts that the process occurs in but a variety and range of contexts occur.
  • Knowledge; Level 3; Relevant theoretical knowledge is required to be fully competent.
  • Information processing; Level 2; Basic processing of readily available information.
  • Problem Solving; Level 2; The learner will only have to apply given solution to known/familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 3; Directed, with some autonomy.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 2; Under general supervision and quality control.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 2; Some responsibility towards quantity and quality, i.e. responsible for quantity and quality of item of competence and not the over al output.
    Average Level: 21/9 = 2.33.
    Actual Level Assigned: 2.

    Credits:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity: Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching: Hours 18.
  • On-The-Job Training: Hours 28.
  • Mentoring required: Hours 0.
  • Other (Specify): Hours 0.
  • Total: Hours 46.

    Credits Achieved: 46/10 = 4.6.
    Actual Credits Assigned: 5. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58739   National Certificate: Mining Operations for Underground Hard Rock  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  64909   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. ALLOYS HEAD OFFICE 
    3. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    4. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    5. AUCTUS TUTORS (PTY) LTD 
    6. AVENG (AFRICA) (PTY) LTD 
    7. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    8. BANA BA THARI MINING TRANING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    9. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    10. BLACK MOUNTAIN MINING PTY LTD 
    11. BOOYSENDAL PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 
    12. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    13. EASTERN CHROME MINES 
    14. EASTERN CHROME MINES SAMANCOR 
    15. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    16. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    17. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    18. GLENCORE OPERATIONS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 
    19. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    20. HOTAZEL MANGANESE MINES (PTY) LTD 
    21. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    22. JUAB GENERAL DEALER 
    23. LYNAZY RESOURCES 
    24. MANCAS CONSULTINGS CC 
    25. MARULA PLATINUM PTY LTD 
    26. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    27. METSKILL PTY LTD 
    28. MMTI Holdings 
    29. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    30. MOTOTOLO MINE 
    31. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    32. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    33. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    34. PRISMA TRAINING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    35. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    36. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    37. SASOL GLOBAL LEARNING 
    38. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    39. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    40. SIBANYE RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES PTY LTD 
    41. TAU LEKOA GOLD MINING COMPANY (PTY) LTD 
    42. TSHUANA DI SA HWEGO HRD SOLUTIONS 
    43. TWO RIVERS PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 
    44. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD 
    45. ZULEK TRAINING SPECIALISTS 


    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.