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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Install support in surface mines and quarries 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257027  Install support in surface mines and quarries 
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 3  NQF Level 03  7 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
116630  Install and maintain support in surface mines and quarries  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended to promote skills, knowledge and understanding of installing support in surface mines and quarries 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 ground support methods.
  • Select method and prepare for the support installation.
  • Install the ground support.
  • Maintain the support.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector. 
    		•

    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 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of ground support methods for surface mine/quarry excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various methods to support excavations are explained in relation to their application. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Ground anchors.
  • Lacing.
  • Wire mesh.
  • Shotcrete or gunite.
  • Gabion support.
  • Backfill and buttressing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The procedures for operation of the equipment are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Drills and drill rigs.
  • Shotcrete/gunite machines.
  • Grouting equipment.
  • Tensioning devices and test equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hazards and risks associated with installing and maintaining support in surface mines and quarries and their mitigating actions are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select method and prepare for the support installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The site is inspected for hazards and risks and the stability of the area assessed in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The most appropriate support method(s) are chosen in conjunction with the rock engineer in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The equipment materials and tools for support installation are selected, examined and prepared for use according to legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    PPE is selected, examined and used in a way that is consistent with its purpose, design and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The site is prepared by scaling down loose material, normally either by manual or mechanical means and made safe for support installation in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The site is assessed for need to place temporary support and temporary support installed as per legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Install the ground support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks are identified and dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Permanent support positions are marked off as per design layout. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Holes required are drilled to correct size, depth and direction in accordance with ground support and work plan specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Anchors and bolts are installed as per appropriate pattern and tensioned where necessary to the required degree. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Additional support mechanisms are installed in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Lacing.
  • Wire mesh.
  • Shotcrete or gunite.
  • Gabions.
  • Backfill and buttressing.
  • Ground anchors.
  • Netting and barricades.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Ground water effects on support are minimized through additional drainage or diversion in accordance with operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain the support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ground support is checked periodically and adjustments made in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Anomalies are assessed and procedures developed, in conjunction with the rock engineer, to reduce the potential hazards in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Repair the defective support system.
  • Install additional support.
  • Change the support method.
     
    		•


    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 relating to the process:
  • Purpose of providing support in surface mines and quarries.
  • Methods of providing support.
  • Principles related to providing support and equipment used.
  • Relevant terminology and names of systems and major components of equipment.
  • Possible non-conformances, their consequences and mitigating actions.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Significant hazards and risks related to falls of ground and providing support.
  • Safety measures related to providing support in surface mines and quarries.
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.
  • Impact on the environment and mitigating actions.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements:
  • Relevant clauses from applicable acts and regulations.
  • Codes of practice.
  • Support competency requirements and restrictions.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements and ability.
  • Communicating with relevant personnel.
  • Liaison with associated operations and personnel. 
    		•

    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 and willingness of the learner to interact with various other workers in the mine or quarry in order to ensure consistent adherence to mine stability and safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to record, monitor and analyse falls of ground information from the examination and support provision activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to use sophisticated equipment related to providing support in surface mines and quarries. 
    		•

    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 ability of the learner to understand the relationship between upstream, downstream and associated processes, and the impact that he may have in each regard. 
    		•

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 116630, "Install and maintain support in surface mines and quarries", Level 3, 10 credits.

    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 and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85/1993).
  • 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
    Elective  64909   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  62869   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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.