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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply strata control techniques and processes in surface excavation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336909  Apply strata control techniques and processes in surface excavation 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction 
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
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 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of rock classification systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of slope stability for surface excavations.
  • Identify and explain monitoring equipment types and applications.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of hydrogeology as required for surface excavation strata control.
  • Monitor and report on Strata Control for Surface Excavations. 
    		•

    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. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of rock classification systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Various rock classification systems are identified and explained in the context of surface excavation operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rock classification includes but limited to:
  • Terzaghis' Rock Mass Classification (RMC).
  • Deere (Rock Quality Designation, RQD).
  • Barton's Rock Quality Index (Q).
  • Bieniawski's RMR.
  • Laubscher's MRMR.
  • Laufer's Stand-up time classification.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The types of rock are identified in the context of the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Various Rock Mass Ratings (RMR's) are evaluated and/or calculated by means of the relevant techniques and good practice in the context of surface excavation operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the various methods and equipment used to attain data as inputs to the rock classification systems. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of slope stability for surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Factors influencing slope stability are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Failure modes/types/mechanisms are identified and causes explained in the context of surface excavations and in accordance with specified requirement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors of safety affecting slope stability are identified and applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Ground control districts and mining environment are identified and explained in accordance with legal and operational requirements in the context of surface excavation operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and explain monitoring equipment types and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Various types of monitoring equipment are identified and explained in the context of strata control for surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Precautionary measures are taken to ensure monitoring equipment is examined, cared for and maintained in accordance with manufacturers specifications and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The application and limitations of monitoring equipment are explained and discussed in the context of strata control for surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Monitoring data is understood, interpreted and the consequent actions implemented. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of hydrogeology as required for surface excavation strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the terminology pertaining to hydrogeology in the context of surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of the types of aquifers in the context of geological structures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of hydrogeology is explained in the context of slope stability and in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons for dewatering surface excavations are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Hydrogeological data is measured, collected, collated and reported in accordance with operational and legal requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor and report Strata Control for Surface Excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Strata control data, findings and results are interpreted in liaison with rock engineering staff in order to identify and take preventative and corrective action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Findings from the "Examine and make safe and declare safe" processes are monitored, interpreted and appropriate action taken in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Alarms and emergency evacuation procedures pertaining to strata related incidents are put in place and communicated to all parties concerned in accordance legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Anomalies and non-conformances are investigated and preventive or corrective action taken in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    All matters pertaining to strata control are recorded and reported in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 


    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 will be assessed in an integrated way in the context of the unit standard:
  • Various rock classification systems.
  • Evaluating quality of rock.
  • Calculating various rock mass ratings.
  • Factors influencing slope stability.
  • Failure types.
  • Factors of safety affecting slope stability.
  • Ground control districts and mining environment.
  • Types of monitoring equipment.
  • Taking care of monitoring equipment.
  • Hydrogeology in the context of surface excavation.
  • Monitoring and reporting requirements.
  • Alarms and emergency evacuation. 
    		•

    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 be part of a team and to participate constructively in achieving team goals and objectives in the processes of applying strata control in surface excavations. 

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

    Note: The learner appreciates the role of modern technology in applying strata control in surface excavations and shows a positive orientation towards such 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 learner understands that the interaction of numerous role players involved in upstream, downstream and parallel processes are required for applying strata control in surface excavations. 

    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:

    Understanding of relevant Acts and Regulations:
  • Mine Health and Safety Act-1996, Labour Relations Act-1995.
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act-1998.

    Site Specific:

    Company policies and procedures regarding relevant:
  • Mine policies and procedures.
  • Codes of Practice.
  • Human Resources specific labour functions. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  74490   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.