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: 

Evaluate conditions in a rock pass 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256857  Evaluate conditions in a rock pass 
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  4 
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 may be concerned with rockpass stability.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of evaluating conditions in a rock pass in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the factors affecting the rock pass conditions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to observe and record rock pass conditions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the factors that affect rock pass conditions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to record and communicate the results of the evaluation. 
    		•

    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 knowledge of the factors affecting the rock pass conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Geological related factors that affect rock pass conditions are listed and explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Strength of rock layers.
  • Geological structure intersections.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Stress related factors that affect rock pass conditions are listed and explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Virgin stress levels and directions.
  • Tectonic stresses and directions.
  • Stress interaction with other excavations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Development methods that affect rock pass conditions are listed and explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Drilled rock passes (raise-bore, blind-bore).
  • Blasted rock passes (conventional, drop-raise).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Conditions resulting from the usage of the rock pass are listed and explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Damage of walls due to passing material impact.
  • Smoothing of walls due to passing material abrasion.
  • Scaling of loose slabs from walls due to passing material.
  • Exaggeration of stress or geological conditions due to passing material.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate the ability to observe and record rock pass conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The appropriate equipment to make observations in a rock pass is listed and explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Clino rule.
  • Tape.
  • Distometer.
  • Additional lighting equipment.
  • Means of orientation (compass, rope, rails).
  • Camera.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Mine-specific safety equipment is shown and inspected prior to the visit to the rock pass in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Harness.
  • Hard hat.
  • Gloves.
  • Gas detection equipment.
  • Protective padding.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mine-specific safety instructions for entering a rock pass are explained and executed in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The rock pass conditions are evaluated according to mine-specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Observed rockwall conditions in a rock pass are recorded according to mine-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the factors that affect rock pass conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The observations noted during the visit are analysed and explained in term sof legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Archives are accessed to ascertain historical information in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Virgin stress state at time of development.
  • Records of previous inspections.
  • Production statistics of ore transported through rock pass.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A plan study is executed to evaluate geological and stress factors affecting the rock pass conditions in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Computer simulations are used to ascertain the effect of mining on the stress state in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    All the factors affecting the rock pass conditions are listed and the associated risks determined in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Appropriate remedial precautions to address the risks are investigated in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate the ability to record and communicate the results of the evaluation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A report is provided that records and communicates the evaluation in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Observations.
  • Investigations.
  • Evaluation.
  • Possible remedial action.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of not recording or communicating rock pass conditions, evaluations and possible remedial precautions are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not evaluating the rock pass conditions are explained in term sof specified 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 
    The following essential embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Knowledge and understanding that the assessor will evaluate:
  • Geological related factors that affect rock pass conditions.
  • Stress related factors that affect rock pass conditions.
  • Development methods that affect rock pass conditions.
  • Conditions resulting from the usage of the rock pass.
  • Observing and recording rock pass conditions.
  • Evaluating the factors that affect rock pass conditions.
  • Demonstrating the ability to record and communicate the results of the evaluation.

    Causes and effects (Occupational Health and Safety):
  • Use of equipment.
  • 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 IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to correctly recognise the factors affecting conditions in the rock pass and investigate remedial actions that will address those factors. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to work in groups to evaluate and solve rock pass condition problems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to systematically assess and evaluate rock pass conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to correctly identify and evaluate factors that are affecting the rock pass conditions to allow appropriate remedial action, confirms. 
    		•

    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 other personnel regarding the conditions, risks associated with the conditions and possible remedial action required. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The use of computer simulation packages in the evaluations. 
    		•

    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: Understanding that the correct evaluation of rock pass conditions is beneficial to safety of people and production in the whole domain. 
    		•

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

    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. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  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.