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: 

Co-ordinate drilling and blasting operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257023  Co-ordinate drilling and blasting operations 
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 "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
115615  Co-ordinate drilling and blasting operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  26   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended to promote knowledge and understanding of coordinating drilling and blasting operations on 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:
  • Monitor compliance to drilling and blasting plan.
  • Evaluate blasting techniques and options.
  • Select appropriate blasting techniques.
  • Adhere to safe blasting procedures.

    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. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Monitor compliance to the drilling and blasting plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Drill program requirements are discussed and confirmed with operators in terms of operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate drill rigs are allocated to specific drill sites in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate equipment for optimal blast hole drilling is evaluated and selected in accordance with operational requirements and manufacturers specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Drill bits.
  • Drill string.
  • Sampling equipment.
  • Dust suppression system.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Drilling is undertaken in accordance with the drilling and blasting plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Adherence to drilling parameters is monitored and recorded in terms of the operation's rilling programme. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Pull-down pressures.
  • Rotation speed.
  • Air pressures.
  • Angle of drilling.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Evaluate blasting techniques and options. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Blasting methods and accessories are evaluated to match site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The blasting schedule is organized with site personnel in terms of operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Blasting programmes are evaluated relative to geological site conditions and characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Appropriate equipment for blasting requirements are evaluated and selected in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Red flags.
  • Sirens.
  • Radios.
  • Barricades.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select appropriate blasting techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Blasting materials and techniques are planned and selected to match geotechnical properties, fragmentation required and environmental consideration. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Adhere to safe blasting procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate storage, transportation and handling methods for explosives are selected and implemented in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The blasting area is inspected and hazards and defects are noted and rectified in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Evacuation of persons.
  • Overhangs.
  • Large rocks.
  • Bench edges.
  • Power lines.
  • Mobile and stationary equipment.
  • Water accumulations.
  • Underfoot conditions.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Consequences of inadequate preparation are described in terms of potential effects on safety, occupational health, production and damage to equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Demarcation of blasting area.
  • Safe guarding of persons and machines in blasting area.
  • Work area examination.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Blasting performance is monitored and evaluated in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Blasting performance is monitored, recorded and evaluated in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Powder factor.
  • Blast gains/swell (heap) factor.
  • Fragmentation - loading rates.
  • Safeguarding of persons and equipment.
  • Within seismic specifications - where applicable.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The work area is continuously monitored and safety hazards are reported in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Occupational environmental elements are monitored and hazards are reported in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Dust.
  • Water.
  • Illumination.
  • Noise.
  • Fire and weather conditions.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard 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 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 with 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 relating to the process:
  • Purpose of coordinating drilling and blasting operations on surface mines and quarries.
  • Methods of coordinating drilling and blasting operations.
  • Principles related to coordinating drilling and blasting operations and equipment used.
  • Relevant terminology and names of systems and major components of equipment.
  • Possible non-conformances, their consequences and mitigating actions.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Significant hazards and risks related to coordinating drilling and blasting operations.
  • Safety measures related to coordinating drilling and blasting operations in surface mines and quarries.
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.
  • Impact on the environment and mitigating actions.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements:
  • Relevant clauses from applicable acts and regulations.
  • Codes of practice.
  • Support competency requirements and restrictions.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements and ability.
  • Communicating with relevant personnel.
  • Liaison with associated operations and personnel. 
    		•

    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 ability and willingness of the learner to interact with various other workers in the mine or quarry in order to ensure consistent adherence to mine operations and safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to record, monitor and analyse data pertaining to drilling and blasting operations. 
    		•

    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 learner to interact with sophisticated equipment related to drilling and blasting in surface mines and quarries. 
    		•

    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 the relationship between upstream, downstream and associated processes, and the impact that he may have in each regard. 
    		•

    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 115615, "Co-ordinate drilling and blasting operations", Level 3, 26 credits.

    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 and Safety Act and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85/1993).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • 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 and S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  62869   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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.
     
    NONE 


    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.