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 principal rock groups, their origins and characteristics 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254495  Demonstrate an understanding of the principal rock groups, their origins and characteristics 
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  5 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 is for persons who work or intend to work within a mining and minerals context. Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principal rock groups and their sub groups.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the origins of the principal rock sub groups.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the principal rock groups.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the common rock types.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of the common rock types. 
    		•

    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 and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principal rock groups and their sub groups. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal rock groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Igneous.
  • Sedimentary.
  • Metamorphic.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal Igneous sub groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Extrusive.
  • Intrusive.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principal Sedimentary sub groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Clastic.
  • Chemical.
  • Organic.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principal Metamorphic sub groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Thermal.
  • Dynamic.
  • Regional.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the origins of the principal rock sub groups. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The origins of the sedimentary sub groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Clastic.
  • Chemical.
  • Organic.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The origins of the metamorphic sub groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Thermal.
  • Dynamic.
  • Regional.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The origins of the igneous sub groups are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Intrusive.
  • Extrusive.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the principal rock groups. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between the principal rock groups is described in terms of the rock cycle. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Weathering, erosion, deposition and cementation.
  • Igneous activity and magma solidification.
  • Metamorphism.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the common rock types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal rock types within the sedimentary group are identified and defined and their relationship with the principal sedimentary rock subgroups explained in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Sandstone.
  • Mudstone.
  • Conglomerate.
  • Limestone.
  • Diamictite.
  • Coal.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal rock types within the igneous group are identified and defined and their relationship with the principal igneous rock subgroups explained in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Granite.
  • Gabbro.
  • Dolerite.
  • Basalt.
  • Rhyolite.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principal rock types within the metamorphic group are identified and defined and their relationship with the principal metamorphic rock subgroups explained in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Gneiss.
  • Schist.
  • Slate.
  • Marble.
  • Amphibolite.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of the common rock types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The typical characteristics used to describe rocks are identified and defined in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Colour.
  • Mineralogy.
  • Grain/mineral size.
  • Grain/mineral shape.
  • Grain/mineral relationships.
  • Internal structures.
  • Reaction to HCl.
  • Magnetism.
  • Specific gravity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The typical characteristics of the principal rock types within the sedimentary group are identified and defined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Sandstone.
  • Mudstone.
  • Conglomerate.
  • Limestone.
  • Diamictite.
  • Coal.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The typical characteristics of the principal rock types within the igneous group are identified and defined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Granite.
  • Gabbro.
  • Dolerite.
  • Basalt.
  • Rhyolite.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The typical characteristics of the principal rock types within the metamorphic group are identified and defined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Gneiss.
  • Schist.
  • Slate.
  • Marble.
  • Amphibolite.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The following accreditation and/or moderation options are available to an individual wishing to be assessed:
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • An understanding of the principal rock groups.
  • The origins of the principle rock groups.
  • The physical characteristics of the common rock types. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to integrate geological data will enhance the learner's proficiency to collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the data from various sources will indicate the candidate's proficiency in effective 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 ability of the candidate to understand the relationships between the principal rock types will contribute to their understanding of the whole world. 
    		•

    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 no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives and instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    Site Specific:
  • Training manuals.
  • Education manuals, including geological text books.
  • Geological illustrations.

    Soil characteristics are the individual features that when combined serve to define a unique rock type. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  60349   National Certificate: Mining Technical Support  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  64909   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  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. CADDIS TRADING CC 
    2. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    3. MMTI Holdings 
    4. PALABORA COPPER (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.