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 typical surface mining processes and layouts 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252654  Demonstrate an understanding of typical surface mining processes and layouts 
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 1  NQF Level 01  6 
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
110194  Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of typical surface mining processes and layouts  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard will be useful for people who are required to describe and understand surface mining processes by using relevant terminology.

People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of overburden removal.
  • Explain methods of rockbreaking.
  • Describe methods of loading and hauling.
  • Explain methods of rehabilitation. 
    		•

    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 1.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of overburden removal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods of removing and stockpiling or placing of top soil and sub soil is explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose and functioning of a dragline is explained in terms of the surface mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The method of overburden removal by truck and shovel is explained in terms of the surface mining context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain methods of rockbreaking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of drilling and blasting are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods of ripping and dozing are explained in terms of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Other methods of rockbreaking are explained in terms of operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Other methods must include the following:
  • Diamond saw.
  • Cutting torch.
  • Excavators.
  • Impact breakers.
  • Hydraulic.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe methods of loading and hauling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods of loading material are explained in term of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include the following:
  • Front end loaders.
  • Rope face shovels.
  • Excavators.
  • Skid steer loader.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The method of hauling and dumping is explained in terms of the mining operations context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The construction and maintenance of roads are explained in terms of the surface mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Roads must include the following:
  • Haul roads.
  • Access ramps.
  • Service roads.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The use of conveyor belts is explained in term of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain methods of rehabilitation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sequence of placement of material in depleted areas is explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The method of fertilising and planting is explained in terms of rehabilitation practice and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The maintenance and management of vegetation on rehabilitated areas is explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification 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 qualification 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. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification 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 essential embedded knowledge will be addressed in an integrated manner in the context of the unit standard.

    Critical factors relating to surface mining processes:
  • Legal and operational requirements.

    Typical Surface mining processes:
  • Overburden removal.
  • Rockbreaking.
  • Loading and hauling.
  • Rehabilitation.

    Recording and reporting requirements. 
    		•

    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 learner demonstrates the understanding that in a mining production environment effective teamwork is of utmost importance in working safely and productively. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note:
  • The learner demonstrates understanding that activities, tools and equipment have to be managed effectively in the often isolated mining working environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note:
  • The learner demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers in the mining working environment, in which team members are dependent upon each other. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note:
  • The learner demonstrates and understanding of and ability to use advanced mining technology in terms of production, safety and communication. 
    		•

    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 learner demonstrates understanding that various systems contribute to the overall safety and productivity of an underground working environment, and that it is as important to contribute to the efficiency of those systems as to be supported by them, particularly by means of following relevant procedures diligently. 
    		•

    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 110194, "Demonstrate an understanding of typical surface mining processes and layouts", Level 1; 6 credits.

    Terminology:

    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.

    Notes to Assessors:

    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 learner 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 learner is able to 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.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 1; Limited in range.
  • Procedures; Level 1; Repetitive and familiar.
  • Context; Level 1; Closely defined.
  • Knowledge; Level 1; Narrow-ranging.
  • Information processing; Level 1; Recall.
  • Problem solving; Level 1; Known solutions to familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 1; Closely follows instructions.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 1; Learner's output is quality control.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 1; Some responsibility towards quantity and quality, i.e. responsible for quantity and quality of items but not the overall output. Sometimes responsible for guidance of others.
  • Average level: 1.
  • Actual level assigned: 1.

    Credits:

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

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom learning; 60 Hours.
  • Work place training; 0 Hours.
  • Mentoring required; 0 Hours.
  • Own learning (e.g. distance learning); 0 Hours.
  • Other (specify); 0 Hours.

    Total = 60 Hours.

    Credits Achieved:=60/10= 6.
    Actual Credits Assigned: 6. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  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. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    3. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    4. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    5. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    6. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    7. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    8. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    9. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    10. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    11. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    12. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    13. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    14. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    15. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    16. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    17. PPC Ltd 
    18. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    19. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    20. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    21. 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.