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: 

Achieve excavation stability with support in a steep mining environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252794  Achieve excavation stability with support in a steep mining environment 
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  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
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 pursuing a career in rock engineering and who are responsible for achieving excavation stability in a steep dipping reef environment.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of steep dipping reef environments.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of support installation to achieve excavation stability.
  • Prepare for support installation.
  • Install support.
  • Conduct a post-installation procedure. 
    		•

    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:
  • Outcomes related to National Certificate in Strata Control at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate elementary knowledge and understanding of steep dipping reef environments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "steep dipping reefs" is explained in the context of a steep mining environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The hazards with mining at steep reef dips are listed and explained in terms of impact on mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Rolling/falling rock.
  • Support installation.
  • Stability of gully.
  • Poor face configurations.
  • Excessive support spans due to face configuration.
  • Blasting out of support.
  • No closure.
  • Falling out of support units.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The support characteristics required to support steep dipping reefs, when applicable, are explained in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Active.
  • Stiff.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The common support types used to support steep dipping reefs, when applicable, are explained in terms of operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Pre-stressed elongates.
  • Cement based packs.
  • Backfill.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of poor quality or inappropriate support installation in a steep dipping reef, are explained in terms of occupational health and safety and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of support installation to achieve excavation stability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Procedures for entry and watering down are explained in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Adverse conditions are explained in terms of the means for recognition and actions for correction. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Heat.
  • Dust.
  • Ventilation.
  • Ground conditions.
  • Harmful gases.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The density and installation of the mine specific support are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose of the support installation is explained in terms of ensuring a safe production environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The requirements pertaining to the cleaning and preparation of the footwall are explained in terms of pre-installation activities. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare for support installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The required personal protective equipment is selected, examined and used in a way that is consistent with its purpose, design and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All tools, material and equipment required for support installation are selected, examined and ensured to be ready for use according to mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools, material and equipment are transported in accordance with mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work place is examined for substandard conditions and hazards in accordance with the relevant procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Substandard conditions and hazards are dealt with in accordance with legal and mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of inadequate preparation to install support are described in terms of the potential effect on occupational safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Install support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The temporary support positions are marked off in accordance with mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The installation procedure for temporary support is conducted according to mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The permanent support positions are marked off in accordance with mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The installation of the permanent support is conducted according to mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of inadequate support installation are described in terms of the potential effect on occupational safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct a post installation procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Quality control inspections are performed according to mine specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Quality and monitoring of installation.
  • Spacing of support units.
  • Support failure.
  • Effectiveness or ineffectiveness.
  • Suitability of units installed.
  • Replacement of damaged units.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Quality control and identification of anomalous adverse ground conditions are explained in terms of potential hazards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Excessive closure or closure rate.
  • Sudden closure.
  • Back break.
  • Open fractures or joints.
  • Excessive bed separation.
  • Relative rock displacements.
  • Loosening.
  • Premature support unit failure.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Defective tools and equipment are dealt with in accordance with mine specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Good housekeeping is practiced according to mine specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of deviating from specific requirements are described in terms of the potential effect on occupational safety, health, equipment and production. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Learners 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 learner'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:
  • Legal and site-specific requirements.
  • Hazard and risk identification and remedial action.
  • Definition of "steep dipping reefs".
  • Purpose and function of common support types.
  • Methods and procedures of support installation.
  • Quality control requirements and procedures.
  • Consequences of non-compliance.
  • Recording and reporting requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

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

    Note: The learner demonstrates the understanding that in a mining production environment effective teamwork is of utmost importance in working safely and productively. 

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

    Note: The learner demonstrates understanding that activities, tools and equipment have to be managed effectively in the often isolated mining working environment. 

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

    Note: The learner demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers in the mining working environment, in which team members are dependent upon each other. 

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

    Note: The learner demonstrates and 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 learner demonstrates understanding that various systems contribute to the overall safety and productivity of an underground working environment, and that it is as important to contribute to the efficiency of those systems as to be supported by them, particularly by means of following relevant procedures diligently. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 115672, "Achieve excavation stability with support in a steep mining environment", Level 2, 3 credits.

    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:
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.
  • Manufacturers Specifications.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.
  • Working Guides.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • Risk Assessment Documents.
  • South African Bureau of Standards and other standards.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 2; Moderate in range.
  • Procedures; Level 2; Established and familiar.
  • Context; Level 2; Routine and familiar.
  • 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 2; Directed.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 2; Some responsibility for quantity and quality, and possible responsibility for guiding others.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 2; Under general supervision and quality control.

    Average Level = 20/9 = 2.22.
    Actual Level Assigned = 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity: Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching: 8 Hours.
  • On-The-Job Training: 24 Hours.
  • Mentoring required: 0 Hours.
  • Other (Specify): 0 Hours.
  • Total: 32 Hours.

    Credits Achieved = 32/10 = 3.2.
    Credits Assigned = 3. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59549   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  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. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    3. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    4. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    5. 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.