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 the relationship between global tectonic systems and mineral deposits 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376160  Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between global tectonic systems and mineral deposits 
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  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 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of plate tectonics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between plate tectonics and mineralisation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of plate tectonic activity during the geological evolution of South Africa.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between plate tectonics and mineralization within South Africa. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • 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 plate tectonics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different components of the Earth are identified, defined and discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Crust-continental and oceanic.
  • Mantle-upper and lower.
  • Core.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The primary rock types found in the crust are identified in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Granite and sediments in the continental crust.
  • Basalt in the oceanic crust.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The internal structure of the upper mantle is discussed and principle rock types identified in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Asthenosphere.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The relationship between the crust and mantle is discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Heat transfer processes in the upper mantle and crust are identified, discussed and defined in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Igneous processes.
  • Convection in the mantle.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The process of plate tectonics is discussed and defined in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The history of the development of the theory of plate tectonics is discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The principal components of the plate tectonic model are identified and defined in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Midoceanic ridge.
  • Subduction zone.
  • Continental plate.
  • Oceanic plate.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The principal continental and oceanic plates found on the Earths surface today are identified in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    The principal types of plate margin are identified and defined in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Convergent.
  • Divergent.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    The tectonic processes common to specific plate tectonic environments are identified and their causes explained in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
    The principal rock types found within individual plate tectonic settings are identified in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 13 
    The stages within the development of a plate tectonic cycle (a Wilson Cycle) are discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between plate tectonics and mineralisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal metallogenic zones are identified on a world map and their relationship to plate tectonic activity identified in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The mineralisation associated with specific environments within a plate tectonic model is identified and specific examples discussed in accordance with sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mineralisation associated with different stages in the development of a plate tectonic cycle is identified and specific examples discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of tectonic analysis in mineral exploration is discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The nature of the processes involved in the development of mineralization; within individual environments; within a plate tectonic model are identified and specific examples discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The nature of the processes involved in the development of mineralization within different stages in the development of a plate tectonic cycle are identified and specific examples discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Global models developed to explain the development of metallogenic zones prior to the development of the plate tectonic model are discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of plate tectonic activity during the geological evolution of South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal tectonic plate fragments within South Africa are identified and their ages defined in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A generalised model for the evolution of South Africa through geological time is discussed with emphasis on the plate tectonic model in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The Gondwanaland Supercontinent is described and discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The position of South Africa within the Gondwanaland Supercontinent is discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The results of the formation and breakup of the Gondwanaland Supercontinent are described and discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • South Africa.
  • The rest of the world.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship between plate tectonics and mineralization within South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal metallogenic zones within South African are identified in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relationship of the principal metallogenic zones within South Africa to plate tectonics are discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The age of the specific plate tectonic activity and its relationship to the development of mineral deposits is identified and discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The stage within the plate tectonic cycle that individual economic deposits were developed is described and discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The results of subsequent geological activity on the distribution and presence of economic deposits is described and discussed in terms of sound geological principles. 


    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 context of the unit standard:
  • The principle characteristics of the crust and upper mantle.
  • The principle characteristics of the plate tectonic model.
  • The relationship between plate tectonics and mineralisation.
  • The role of plate tectonics in the development of South Africa and its mineral deposits. 
    		•

    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:
  • The ability of the learner to identify characteristics of individual components of the plate tectonic model and their mineralisation and relate these to specific occurrences contributes to his/her problem solving ability. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively:
  • The ability of the learner to integrate the geological data from a general plate tectonic model to provide a coherent model for a specific occurrence indicates that the learner can organise and manage activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to integrate the geological data to form a simple geological model will enhance the learners proficiency to collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations:
  • The ability of the learner to reconcile the data from various sources will indicate the learner's proficiency in effective communication. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:
  • The analysis of the geological data pertaining to the general plate tectonic model and relate this to mineralization will indicate the learners understanding of science and technology. 
    		•

    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:
  • The ability of the learner to understand the role the plate tectonic model plays in the development of the crust and the development of mineralised zones will contribute to their understanding of the whole world. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Reflect on, and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively and to contribute to the full development of each learner to enhance the social and economic development of the society at large:
  • The ability of the learner to explore more than one strategy to relate the plate tectonic model to mineralisation can be applied inside and outside the work environment to enhance the socio-economic development of family-life and the community at large. 
    		•

    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 and/or laid down procedures are contained in one or more of the following:
  • Training manuals.
  • Education manuals, including recent geological text books.
  • Geological illustrations.

    Legal requirements are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • None applicable. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  77963   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining/Exploration Geology  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.