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: 

Install and maintain support in surface mines and quarries 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116630  Install and maintain 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  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2004-12-02  2007-12-02  SAQA 0857/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02   2011-12-02  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
257027  Install support in surface mines and quarries  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
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 of installing and maintaining 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 for quarry excavations
  • Select method and prepare for the support installation
  • Install the ground support
  • Monitor the support performance
  • Maintain the support 
    		•

    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:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 3.
  • Occupational Health and safety at NQF Level 2.
  • IT at NQF Level 3
  • Examination and making safe quarry excavations
  • Basic quarry geology 
    		•

    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 knowledge of ground support methods for quarry excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The factors influencing stability of an excavation are explained in relation to quarry operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Strength of rock material
  • Frequency of jointing
  • Joint strength and filling
  • Confining stress
  • Presence of water
  • Blasting techniques
  • Slope geometry
  • Angles of repose
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The modes of failure of excavations and soils and their mitigating actions are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Wedge failure
  • Toppling
  • Plane failure
  • Circular failure
  • Loose material (weathering) falling/rolling
  • Slumping
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various methods to support excavations are explained in relation to their application. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Ground anchors
  • Lacing
  • Wire mesh
  • Shotcrete or gunite
  • Gabion support
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The procedures for operation of the equipment are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Drills and drill rigs
  • Shotcrete/gunite machines
  • Grouting equipment
  • Tensioning devices and test equipment
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Hazards and risks associated with installing and maintaining support in surface mines and quarries and their mitigating actions are explained. 

    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. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The most appropriate support method(s) are chosen and a design plus density selected. 

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The 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, either by manual or mechanical means and made safe for support installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The site is assessed for need to place temporary support and temporary support installed as per specified 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 correct degree. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Additional support mechanisms are installed as per specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Lacing
  • Wire mesh
  • Shotcrete or gunite
  • Gabions
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Ground water effects on support are minimized through additional drainage or diversion. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Monitor the support performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The records and documentation of the ground support are completed accurately and promptly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The support installations are examined and checked for deterioration and anomalies recorded. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Degradation of support systems
  • Scaling and frittering ground
  • Bed separation
  • Rock/block displacement
  • Opening of joints/fractures
  • Subsidence and slumping
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Maintain the support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Anomalies are assessed and procedures developed to reduce the potential hazards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Repair the defective support system
  • Install additional support
  • Change the support method
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The support systems are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • 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:
  • Factors influencing stability of excavations
  • Modes of failure of excavations
  • Support methods
  • Principles of operation and names of components of equipment used
  • Occupational risks and hazards and their mitigating actions
  • Typical non conformances and their mitigating actions 
    		•

    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 sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 

    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. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment is required and communicate to fellow workers his / her intentions and assistance required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from visual and physical examinations and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 

    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 the reporting of hazards and sub-standard conditions 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 ability of the candidate to use equipment, follow processes and access and record data in a technological environment in accordance with environmental, occupational health and safety requirements. 

    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 refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms understanding that a specific observation, inference, action or decision can have a devastating 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: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 257027, which is "Install support in surface mines and quarries", Level 3, 7 credits.

    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
  • Guidelines issued by 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


    Unit Standard Justification

    Attribute, Level, Justification
  • Skills - Level 3 - Moderate in range
  • Procedures - Level 2 - Established and familiar
  • Context - Level 3 - Range of familiar
  • Knowledge - Level 3 - Some relevant theoretical
  • Information processing - Level 3 - Interpretation of available information
  • Problem Solving - Level 3 - Known solutions to familiar problems
  • Orientation of activities - Level 3 - Directed with some autonomy
  • Application of responsibility - Level 3 - Under general supervision
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility - Level 3 - Significant responsibility for quantity and quality

    Average Level: 26/9 = 2.88
    Actual Level Assigned: 3


    Credits:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:
  • Classroom Teaching: 30 hours
  • On-The-Job Training: 60 hours
  • Mentoring required: 10 hours
  • Total: 100 hours

    Credits Achieved: 100/10 = 10
    Actual Credits Assigned: 10 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57121   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Quarrying  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-09-17  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    2. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    3. PRISMA TRAINING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    4. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    5. 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.