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 development, pre-ledging equipping, ledging, equipping and stoping processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336907  Demonstrate an understanding of development, pre-ledging equipping, ledging, equipping and stoping processes 
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 
The mining business is involved in the winning of minerals and in order to do this the so-called 'factory' or stoping process has to be set up properly to allow for the efficient excavation and removal of mineral ore. It is important for the learner to understand the activities to be performed before full scale mineral excavation can commence.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the development process involved in excavation and removal of mineral ore.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the pre-ledging equipping process.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ledging process.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stope equipping process. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are 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 development process involved in excavation and removal of mineral ore. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of development is explained and understood in terms of specified company requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various types of development ends and their purpose are described in the context of the factory or stoping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various activities and time frames in the development cycle are explained and understood for the various types of development. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Development cycle activities include but not limited to:
  • Haulages.
  • Return Airways.
  • Crosscuts.
  • Travelling ways.
  • Raises/Winzes.
  • Boxholes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A development layout to effectively stope a predetermined block of ground is explained, scheduled and plotted on the relevant development sheet. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The accepted development advance per month is explained for the different types of development ends in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The resources to perform the required development activities are determined in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the pre-ledging equipping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of pre-ledging equipping is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various activities and time frames in the pre-ledging equipping cycle are identified and understood in the context of the factory or stoping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A layout depicting the fully equipped raise line is explained in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The required pre-ledging extraction rate is scheduled and plotted on the relevant stope sheet in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The equipping activities prior to full scale ledging are determined and scheduled through to completion for the pre-ledging described above. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The resources to perform the required pre-ledging activities are determined in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the ledging process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of ledging is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various activities and time frames in the ledging cycle are explained and understood in the context of the factory or stoping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A layout depicting the ledging method and sequence for a predetermined raise line is explained in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The required ledging sequence and extraction rate to complete the ledging is scheduled and plotted on the relevant stope sheet in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The resources to perform the required ledging activities are determined in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the stope equipping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of equipping is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A layout depicting the fully equipped stope is explained and plotted on the relevant stope sheet in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required equipping rate to complete the stope equipping is scheduled out through to completion in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The resources to perform the required stope equipping activities are determined in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the stoping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of stoping is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various activities and time frames for a predetermined stoping method and cycle are explained and understood in the context of the factory or scoping process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A stoping layout to effectively extract the mineral is explained and understood for a predetermined block of ground in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The extraction rate to complete the stoping of a block of ground is scheduled and plotted on the relevant stope sheet in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The mines productivity performance standards are explained for different scenarios in terms of accepted mining performance practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The resources to perform the required stoping activities are determined in accordance with legal and site-specific 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 embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Knowledge and understanding of the various processes (development, ledging, equipping and stoping).
  • Purpose of process.
  • Various activities and time frames.
  • Layout.
  • Rate.
  • Relevant activities.
  • Resources to perform the respective activities.
  • The inter-relationship between development, ledging, equipping and stoping.
  • Planning sequences.
  • The term m2:m ratio and its impact on costs.
  • Compiling a master schedule to sequence.
  • Occupational Health and safety.
  • Legal and site-specific requirements. 
    		•

    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 realistic plans and schedules during development, ledging, equipping and stoping. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • Gain team commitment for plans and schedules to meet production targets. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • Development, ledging, equipping and stoping activities are organised and performed in a responsible manner in order to meet production commitments. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to evaluate proposed targets against current conditions to ensure that objectives set are simple, realistic, measurable, and achievable. 
    		•

    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 team members to gain commitment for achieving set objectives. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • Plan and schedule development, ledging, equipping and stoping activities with the health and safety of individuals and production requirements in mind. 
    		•

    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:
  • Be proactive in recognising, establishing, setting and executing actions necessary to safely achieve planned objectives related to development, ledging, equipping and stoping. 
    		•

    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 no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
    > Mandatory Codes of Practice.
    > 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 and S Risks.
    > Codes of Practice Manufacturers Specifications.
    > Equipment and Materials Specifications.
    > Working Guides.
    > Mine Standards and 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  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.