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 factors that define a ground control district 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256847  Demonstrate an understanding of factors that define a ground control district 
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 4  NQF Level 04  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 for persons who are who are responsible for defining ground control.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of defining ground control in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of a ground control district.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of factors relating to the natural state of the rock mass that influences mine-specific ground control districts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of factors relating to mining that influence the definition of mine-specific ground control districts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of factors relating to the occurrence of seismicity that influences mine-specific ground control districts. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of a ground control district. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for classifying areas in accordance with rock mass response to mining is understood within the context of operational codes of practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Guidelines for the compilation of a mandatory code of practice to combat the incidence of rockfalls and rockbursts.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The descriptions of hazards resulting from various rock mass responses are provided in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Seismicity.
  • Geological structures.
  • Fallout thickness.
  • Closure rates.
  • Hangingwall condition.
  • Rock strengths.
  • Fracture densities.
  • Stress levels.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of varying rock mass response to mining is explained in terms of support and excavation design. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The needs for different excavation and support design strategies are explained in terms of addressing different rock mass responses to mining. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Support characteristic.
  • Support type.
  • Support spacing and spans.
  • Pillar dimensions and layout.
  • Monitoring.
  • Mining method.
  • Mining layout.
  • Mining direction.
  • Stoping height.
  • Face advance.
  • Access development.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of incorrect identification of areas of similar and dissimilar rock mass responses on excavation and support design are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of factors relating to the natural state of the rock mass that influences mine-specific ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The impact of the frequency and characteristics of geological structures are described in terms of creating mining areas with similar or dissimilar rock-related hazards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Faults and thrusts.
  • Intrusives and extrusives (dykes, sills, pipes).
  • Joints and veins.
  • Potholes, slumps and undulations.
  • Domes.
  • Shear bands.
  • Pilloid, tuff and foliations.
  • Stringers, bedding and other parting planes.
  • Cleats and crossbedding.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of the natural condition of the rock mass bounding excavations are explained in terms of creating mining areas with similar or dissimilar rock-related hazards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Composition (lithological).
  • Strength.
  • Properties.
  • Geometry.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The influence of the natural state of the rock mass is explained in terms of the choice of excavation layouts and support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not understanding the influence of the natural state of the rock mass on the frequency and severity of rock related hazards used to define ground control districts are provided in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of factors relating to mining that influence the definition of mine-specific ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The impact of the frequency and characteristics of induced fractures are explained in terms of rock related hazards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Stress fractures.
  • Blasting fractures.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The influence of similar or dissimilar closure rates are explained in terms of the choice of excavation and support design. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The influence of similar or dissimilar stress distributions are explained in terms of the choice of excavation and support design. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not understanding the influence of mining on the frequency and severity of rock related hazards used to define ground control districts are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of factors relating to the occurrence of seismicity that influences mine-specific ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for classifying areas in accordance with the frequency and severity of seismic activity is explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Spatial distribution.
  • Temporal distribution.
  • Source of activity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The influence of seismic activity is explained in terms of the choice of excavation and support design. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Support characteristics.
  • Areal coverage.
  • Mining heights.
  • Mining methods.
  • Mining layouts.
  • Mining directions.
  • Face advance.
  • Access development.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not understanding the influence of seismicity on the frequency and severity of rock related hazards used to define ground control districts are described in terms of legal and operational requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard 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 unit standard 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 with 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.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard 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 
    Knowledge and understanding that the assessor will evaluate:
  • The concept of a ground control district.
  • Hazards resulting from various rock mass responses to mining.
  • The impact of varying rock mass response to mining on support and excavation design.
  • List the different excavation and support design strategies to address different rock mass responses to mining.
  • Factors relating to the natural state of the rock mass that influences mine-specific ground control districts.
  • Factors relating to mining that influence the definition of mine-specific ground control districts.
  • Factors relating to the occurrence of seismicity that influences mine-specific ground control districts.

    Causes and effects (Occupational Health and Safety):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Adherence to occupational health and safety requirements.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Occupational health, safety and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    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 ability to understand that combining knowledge and experience is essential in effectively defining ground control districts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to categorize mining districts using different defined criteria. 
    		•

    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 of knowledge to other persons and the conversion of knowledge into information used to make decisions that are instituted by the team indicate effective communication. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The grouping of mining areas into ground control districts indicates understanding of rock mass responses to mining, which will aid in creating an awareness of hazards generic to a particular area. 
    		•

    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 knowledge and understanding that ground control districts promote formalised characterisation of mining areas which, aids in optimised safe mine design. 
    		•

    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 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    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
    Core  62796   Further Education and Training Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.