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: 

Supervise the rehabilitation of a geological site 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261800  Supervise the rehabilitation of a geological site 
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 4  NQF Level 04  7 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
11687  Supervise the rehabilitation of a geological exploration site  Level 4  NQF Level 04  14   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are responsible to supervise the rehabilitation of a geological exploration site in order to obtain a closure certificate from the Department of Minerals and Energy.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate the knowledge required to rehabilitate geological exploration sites.
  • Plan and prepare to supervise the rehabilitation of a geological exploration site.
  • Supervise the rehabilitation activity.
  • Conduct post-rehabilitation activities, and compile and present completion reports. 
    		•

    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 3.
  • Locate a surface geographical position.
  • Identify hazards that affect the health and safety of the environment.
  • Identify hazardous waste materials.
  • Know and understand required rehabilitation standards and legal requirements.
  • Understand the use of tools, materials and equipment required for the rehabilitation of exploration sites.
  • Intermediate first aid to dress superficial wounds and attend to minor injuries. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard is intended to cover the supervision of the rehabilitation of trenches, sample sites, pits, surface drill sites and any other surface disturbances resulting from geological exploration activities, but excludes toxic chemical contaminated areas that require specialist management. The exploration site can be within or outside the mine boundary on private property. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate the knowledge required to rehabilitate a geological exploration site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The objectives and the methodologies to apply are described in terms of rehabilitating geological exploration sites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The contents of the site specific Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan (EMPR) are described in terms of operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The potential effects on the occupational health and safety of persons are described if the required legal requirements are not adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The sequence is described in terms of the rehabilitation activities and the potential consequences of non-conformance described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The possible and probable consequences are described if permission to enter the rehabilitation area is not obtained in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The contents and application of the Risk Assessment Document are described in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plan and prepare to supervise the rehabilitation of a geological exploration site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Confirmation is given that interested and affected parties have been notified of the rehabilitation programme in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Permission to enter the rehabilitation site is obtained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Personal protective equipment is selected and examined for any defects and used in accordance with legal and laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Defective personal protective equipment is dealt with in accordance with the laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The relevant contents and requirements contained in the site specific Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan (EMPR) and other relevant documentation are summarised in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The site-specific Risk Assessment Document is obtained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The workplace is examined for potential and actual hazardous and sub-standard conditions and if present are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must be any one or a combination of the following:
  • Slippery surfaces.
  • Electricity in close proximity to water.
  • Poor illumination.
  • Operating machinery in close proximity.
  • Unsafe ground conditions.
  • Flooding.
  • Contamination.
  • Adverse weather conditions (lightning).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The site location(s) is verified in accordance with the work instruction received. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The excavated overburden material is examined and the sequence is reconciled with the data of excavation report. Anomalies are recorded and dealt with in accordance with legal, site-specific and laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    The excavated overburden material is examined for any signs of contamination with pollutants and the rehabilitation team instructed to deal with such material in accordance with the accepted handling procedure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must be any one or a combination of the following:
  • Chemical spills.
  • Petroleum products.
  • Solid foreign material.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    The area(s) is photographed prior to rehabilitation in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Supervise the rehabilitation activity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work related hazards and associated risks are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include any one or a combination of the following:
  • Eye/facial injuries.
  • Hand and foot injuries.
  • Chemical burns.
  • Diseases, such as bilharzia, tick fever, typhoid.
  • Snake and insect bites.
  • Communication failure.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Any unsafe work practices, when found, are dealt with in accordance with the laid down procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The rehabilitation of the specific geological exploration site is in accordance with the requirements of the specific Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan and Risk Assessment Document. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Site-specific safety and security requirements are adhered to in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct post-rehabilitation activities and compile and present reports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Interested and affected parties are notified of the completion of the rehabilitation process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The rehabilitated area(s) is photographed in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A clearance document is obtained from the surface owner, when required, to confirm the owner's satisfaction with the rehabilitation activity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A clearance document is issued to the rehabilitation team, subject to the satisfactory completion of the work, which confirm acceptance of further responsibility and liability by the supervisor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The completion reports are compiled in the required format and submitted to the relevant personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The application for a legal closure certificate is compiled, when required in the work instruction. 


    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:
  • The legal and contractual requirements regarding access to a geological exploration site on private properties.
  • The ability to identify and recognise any condition resulting from geological exploration likely to be detrimental to the environment, such as contaminated material and/or foreign objects.
  • The legal requirements and regulations as contained in specific Environmental Management Programmes and Rehabilitation Plans.
  • The managerial skill to manage and lead people in a variety of activities.
  • Consciousness that caring for the environment is an obligation to restore the site to its original status or even to enhance the status. 
    		•

    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 and verify potential anomalous conditions in the sequence of stockpiled material and the correcting of the sequence thereof contributes to his/her problem solving ability. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: The ability of the learner to lead and guide the rehabilitation team in an appropriate manner to rehabilitate the geological exploration site to the set requirements will indicate that the learner can work effectively with others as a member of a team. 

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

    Note: The compilation of a summarised version of the requirements, as contained in the Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan, to facilitate in the effective rehabilitation activity will indicate that the learner can organise and manage his/her activities in a responsible and effective manner. 

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

    Note: The cognitive ability of the learner to correctly identify and distinguish between the various types of overburden that is stockpiled will indicate that he/she can collect, analyse, organise and critically 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 effective communication of the learner to the rehabilitation team regarding the sequence and method/techniques to employ for the rehabilitation process will indicate the learner's proficiency in oral communication. The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazardous and sub-standard conditions will indicate his/her proficiency in effective oral and/or written communication. The correct reporting of the completion of the work to the relevant personnel and interested and affected parties and the application for a legal closure certificate will indicate that the learner is proficient in written communication. 

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

    Note: The correct and effective rehabilitation of the geological exploration site in the required sequence and in terms of the requirements of the Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan will indicate that the learner is sensitive towards the environment. The separation of contaminated material from virgin material and the appropriate handling thereof in the accepted manner will indicate that the learner is sensitive to both the environment and the health of others. 

    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 cognitive ability of the learner to understand that the incorrect placing of back-fill material when an excavation is rehabilitated, can create other problems will indicate that the learner recognises the fact that the world is a set of related systems. 

    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 11687, "Supervise the rehabilitation of a geological exploration site", Level 4, 14 credits.

    Terminology:

    Specified Requirements:

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Minerals Act and Regulations 50/1991.
  • Mine Health and Safety Act 29/1996.
  • Site-specific Environmental Management Protection and Rehabilitation Plan.

    Site Specific:
  • Managerial instructions, including work instructions.
  • Specific Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan.
  • Statutory Codes of Practice.
  • Standard task procedures.
  • Risk assessment documentation.
  • Working guides.
  • Training manuals.
  • Education manuals.

    A Clearance Document:

    A clearance document is an agreement between two parties that the affected party is satisfied with the way and manner in which the area(s) was rehabilitated. The affected party can be the surface owner(s) and the second party represents the Exploration Company. An affected party can also be the Exploration Company who is liable for the rehabilitation of the geological exploration site and the second party will then be the rehabilitation team.

    A Clearance Certificate:

    A clearance certificate is a legally binding document that is issued by the Department of Minerals and Energy after an inspector has examined the rehabilitated geological exploration site. After confirmation that the rehabilitation of the area is in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Programme and Rehabilitation Plan and other statutory requirements, where necessary, a certificate is issued to the Exploration Company which relinquishes them from further responsibilities and liabilities.

    A Risk Assessment Document:

    A risk assessment document, is a document, which must be compiled in terms of Section 5(2) (a) of the Mine, Health and Safety Act. 29/1996, by the Exploration Manager and/or the Health and Safety Officer, to assess any risks that are associated with the rehabilitation of a geological exploration sites. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65549   National Certificate: Mining Technical Support  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.