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 generic artificial support types, their characteristics and applications 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252616  Demonstrate an understanding of the generic artificial support types, their characteristics and applications 
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 2  NQF Level 02  3 
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 ensuring excavation stability through support recommendation or installation.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the generic support types.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the characteristics of support types.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the application of the support types.

    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, demonstrating basic knowledge and an understanding of the generic artificial support types, their characteristics and application 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 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Outcomes related to National Introductory Certificate to Mining and Minerals (NQF Level 1). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the generic support types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of each of the generic support types is given in terms of the mining operations context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Generic support types must include the following:
  • Pack support.
  • Elongated support.
  • Backfill type.
  • Tendon support.
  • Shield support.
  • Fabric support.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A description of support types is given in terms of those used on the specific mine. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Description must include the following:
  • Support unit name.
  • Sketch of the unit.
  • Construction/Installation methods.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Support units used on the specific mine is categorized into the generic support types. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of the characteristics of support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Support characteristics are explained in the specific mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Support characteristics must include the following:
  • Active.
  • Passive.
  • Stiff.
  • Soft.
  • Yieldability.
  • Areal coverage.
  • Support resistance.
  • Energy absorption.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The support characteristics of various support types are explained in terms of the mine-specific context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate understanding of the application of the support types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The support types commonly used are listed in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mine excavations must include the following:
  • Production excavations.
  • Mine access excavations.
  • Service excavations.
  • Surface mining excavations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The support characteristics required in excavations are explained in the context of the specific mine are provided. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Excavations must include the following:
  • Tunnels.
  • Stopes.
  • Gullies.
  • Shafts.
  • High stoping width areas.
  • Seismically active areas.
  • Large service excavations.
  • High walls.
  • Slopes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The most appropriate local support types are selected to address the excavation support requirements in the specific mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effects of selecting incorrect support types are explained in terms of the consequences to people, production, infrastructure, mine profitability etc. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body must be, 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 unit standard:
  • Knowledge of the generic support types.
  • Understand the characteristics of support.
  • Understand the application of the different support types.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    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 learner to identify support requirements and select the most appropriate support type to ensure excavation stability. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to communicate the need for certain support types to the team. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to reconcile the support requirements with the support types available to him indicates this proficiency. 
    		•

    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 need to use certain support types 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 knowledge of up-to-date support types indicates 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 learner to understand that incorrect selection of the appropriate support types could lead to falls of ground will indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken has more than one effect. 
    		•

    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 & Safety Act and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • 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.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 3; Well-developed 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 2; Known solutions to familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 2; Directed.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 2; Some responsibility for quantity and quality, and possible responsibility for guiding others.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 2; Under general supervision and quality control.

    Average Level: 22/9 = 2.44.
    Actual Level Assigned = 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching; 16 hours.
  • On-The-Job Training; 16 hours.
  • Mentoring required; 0 hours.
  • Other (Specify); 0 hours.

    Total: 32 hours.

    Credits Achieved: 32/10 = 3.2.
    Credits Assigned = 3. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59549   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    3. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    4. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    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.