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: 

Identify and evaluate the effect of seismic activity on the rock mass and support units 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115758  Identify and evaluate the effect of seismic activity on the rock mass and support units 
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  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 rock engineering personnel who are responsible for evaluating the effect of seismic activity on support and workplace stability.

People credited with this unit standard are able to
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of mining induced seismic activity;
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify and assess the effect of seismic activity on ground conditions;
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify and assess the effect of seismic activity on support units; and
  • Communicate adverse conditions.

    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

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding to Identify and evaluate the effect of seismic activity on the rock mass and support units in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Introductory Certificate to the Mining Industry Level 1 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate basic knowledge of mining induced seismic activity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic understanding of the definitions related to seismicity is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Seismic event
  • Wave formation and propagation
  • Seismic monitoring
  • Rock spitting
  • Strain bursts
  • Face bursts
  • Dyke burst
  • Fault slip
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic understanding of the mechanisms of seismic activity is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Stress
  • Stress vs. strength of material
  • Geological structures
  • Changing stress levels due to mining
  • Stress increasing slip potential on geological structure vs. shear strength of geological structure
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate the ability to identify and assess the effect of seismic activity on ground conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effects of seismic waves on the mining excavation and surrounding rock are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Relationship between event size and location vs. site location and relative damage
  • Rock fall or shake down
  • Correlation of recorded data with underground observations
  • Geological discontinuities
  • Creation or displacement of brows
  • Dynamic closure
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of seismic activity on ground conditions is assessed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Evidence of solid rock failure - fracturing, disintegration
  • Evidence of displacement of geological discontinuities
  • Evidence of rock fall or shake down
  • Creation or displacement of brows
  • Evidence of dynamic closure
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Unsafe conditions are reported to the workplace supervisor / workers underground. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate the ability to identify and assess the effect of seismic activity on support units. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effect of seismic activity on support units is identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Dynamic closure
  • Support unit deformation
  • Support unit failure
  • Changes in direction of loading of support units
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of seismic activity on support conditions is assessed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Support unit condition
  • Support unit stability
  • Support unit integrity
  • Support unit failure mode
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Unsafe conditions due to ineffective support units are reported to the workplace supervisor / workers underground. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Communicate adverse conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to verbally communicate the observations to workers / supervisors underground is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to compile a written report stating the observations and decisions taken underground is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to annotate or draw an appropriate scale plan showing observations. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Health and safety knowledge
  • Report writing
  • 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 identify and assess evidence of seismic damage with reasons for the damage and compile a report. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to request assistance with identification and assessment in an appropriate manner as a team member. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: In preparation for identification and assessment of seismic damage, the candidate must indicate what tools are required and communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the measured and analysed data with visual information and prepare a written report. 

    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 the relevant personnel with regard to reporting evidence of seismic damage will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note: The use of seismic monitoring devices and instrumentation indicate effective use 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.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify and assess seismic damage. The effect of non-compliance and deviation from mine standards and procedures will indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken has more than one effect 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember, we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence - of the prescribed type and quality as specified in this unit standard - that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well-documented principles of assessment, namely appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    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
  • 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

    Unit standard justification

    Level

    Attribute-Level-Justification
    Skills-3-The skills required now have a significant variety and extend beyond the simple range.
    Procedures-2-Although the procedure is known and familiar (as level 1) it is not as repetitive.
    Context-3-The candidate knows all contexts that the process occurs in but a variety and range of contexts occur.
    Knowledge-2-The knowledge required is merely related to the operation and no theory needs to be applied.
    Information processing-2-Information is readily available but some processing is required.
    Problem Solving-3-The key difference from level two is the application of some "judgement".

    Orientation of activities-3-Follows instructions, but has some autonomy to make own decisions and give instructions down ward.

    Orientation of scope of responsibility-3-Here the responsibility extends towards, although not entirely, the output as well as, when applicable, the output of others.
    Application of responsibility-3-Candidate's output is quality checked, i.e. on random basis.

    Average level: = 24 / 9 = 2.67
    Actual level assigned: = 3

    Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity-Hours
    Classroom Teaching-16
    On-The-Job Training-24
    Mentoring required-0
    Other (Specify)-0
    Total-40

    Credits achieved: = 40 / 10 = 4
    Credits assigned: = 4 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  60369   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  50082   Further Education and Training Certificate: Minerals Surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    3. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    4. SASOL GLOBAL LEARNING 
    5. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    6. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    7. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD 


    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.