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 strata control practice in an underground hard rock mine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336900  Demonstrate an understanding of strata control practice in an underground hard rock mine 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction 
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  8 
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 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the strata control considerations applied to underground hard rock, mining methods and the mining environment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of rock related issues and hazards listed, relative to the mining environment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of and use of pre-conditioning, as used on deep level hard rock mines.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and use of a panel rating system, on hard rock mines.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and use of seismic warning systems on hard rock mines.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of and reasons for well-structured monthly planning sessions. 
    		•

    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 strata control considerations applied to underground hard rock, mining methods and the mining environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "Underground Hard Rock Mine" is explained in terms of mining practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different mining methods used in underground hard rock mines are explained in terms of standard mining practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include all the following:
  • Scattered mining.
  • Long wall mines.
  • Sequential grid mining.
  • Sub level caving.
  • Shrinkage mining.
  • Block caving.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Strata control considerations relative to the different hard rock mining methods are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the rock related issues and hazardous elements relative to the mining environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different terms used are explained in layman's language. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terms include but not limited to:
  • Seismicity and seismic monitoring.
  • Rock bursts and rock burst controls.
  • Energy release rate.
  • Multi reef mining.
  • Overstoping and de-stressing.
  • Pre-conditioning.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The hazards/controls required to ensure a safe underground hard rock mining environment are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include all the following:
  • Seismicity and seismic monitoring.
  • Rock bursts and rock burst controls.
  • Energy release rate.
  • Multi reef mining.
  • Overstoping and de-stressing.
  • Pre-conditioning.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not recognizing hazards relative to underground hard rock mines are explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The need to record and report hazards relative to underground hard rock mines is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and use of pre-conditioning as used on deep level hard rock mines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term pre-conditioning is explained in the context of deep level hard rock mining. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The pre-conditioning method employed on a typical hard rock mine is explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include:
  • Face perpendicular and face parallel pre-conditioning methods.
  • Hole lengths and spacing.
  • Stemming and timing of hole.
  • Evaluation of the effectiveness of pre-conditioning.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inadequate knowledge of the pre-conditioning method used on a hard rock mine are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and use of a panel rating system on hard rock mines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "Panel rating system" is explained in terms of mining practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A typical panel rating system used on hard rock mines is described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inadequate knowledge of the panel rating system used on the mine are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and use of seismic warning systems on hard rock mines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "Seismic warning system" is explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A typical seismic warning system used on hard rock mines is explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of improper knowledge of a seismic warning system are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of and reasons for well-structured monthly planning sessions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "Monthly Planning" is explained in terms of strata control practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of a monthly planning session is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The strata control related issues that need to be discussed during a monthly planning session are explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of improper monthly planning are explained in terms of 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 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.
  • 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 embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Definition of Underground Hard Rock Mine.
  • Different mining methods.
  • Strata control considerations.
  • Rock related issues and hazards.
  • Hazards/controls required to ensure a safe underground hard rock mining environment.
  • Recording and reporting requirements.
  • Purpose of and use of pre-conditioning.
  • Purpose and use of a panel rating system.
  • Purpose and use of seismic warning systems.
  • Purpose of and reasons for well-structured monthly planning sessions.
  • Consequences of lack of knowledge and non-compliance. 
    		•

    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 candidate to understand the importance of implementing actions to prevent rock related incidents will confirm. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community:
  • Note: Production supervisors to supervise and coach workers on strata control related issues. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively:
  • Note: Production supervisors must use their knowledge of strata control issues to manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively. (Don't Take Chances). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to evaluate the hazards associated with strata control issues and be able to identify the need for appropriate controls and prevention precautions, 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 with regard to appropriate precautions, controls, quality control and support installation to address the hazards confirms. 
    		•

    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 understanding of the rock mass response to mining and strata control related issues assists to ensure the health and safety of mining personnel confirms. 
    		•

    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 and 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.

    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 and S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications of 1993. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  74490   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining 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.