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

Demonstrate an understanding of continual improvement in the mining cycle 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336919  Demonstrate an understanding of continual improvement in the mining cycle 
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  4 
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 
Achieving this Unit Standard will make the qualifying learners in a supervisory capacity working in underground mines, surface mines, quarries and small-scale mines more effective while improving the mining cycle.

People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • Describe the mining process or value chain.
  • Identify typical constraints in the mining process.
  • Describe the methodology to treat the constraint.
  • Describe the actions in implementing identified solutions to the mining cycle to effect continuous improvement.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this Unit Standard contribute to the effectiveness of the mining system and processes. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learners are competent in the following:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the mining process or value chain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The linkage between Mineral Resource Management (MRM), access development, ore extraction, transport and mineral recovery are discussed in terms of the breakdown in the process if any of these areas is retarded. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The interrelationship between systems, processes, activities and tasks are discussed by means of using mining examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of mining with regard to the value commodity mined is discussed in terms of the learner's role in the process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Productivity is discussed in terms of optimizing mineral exploitation, and reducing inventories and costs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The purpose of a "lost process" analysis e.g. lost blast is discussed in the context of the mining process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Typical constraints to the mining process are discussed in the context of the mining cycle. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the methodology to treat constraints impacting on mining. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process of mapping out the sequence of activities within a sub process and identifying which activities add value to the economic process are discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The constraints affecting output/throughput are discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The prioritising and focusing of resources on fixing the major constraint by considering all solutions are discussed in the mining context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the actions in implementing solutions to the mining cycle to effect continuous improvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The activities of visioning, diagnosing, improving, implementing and controlling the process are discussed in the mining context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Risk assessment of the changed process is conducted in the context of continual improvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The process is tested in the context of continual improvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The agreed process is rolled out in the context of continual improvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    New constraints are identified and begun with in the context of continual improvement. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation 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:
  • Causes and effects, implications of:
    > Hazards and risks not dealt with.
    > Sub-standard work practices.
    > Sub-standard use of tools and equipment.
  • Procedures and techniques:
    > Safety procedures applicable.
    > Storage and good housekeeping.
  • Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
    > Safety, occupational health and environmental legislation and regulations.
    > Quality policies, standards and agreements.
  • Relationships and systems:
    > Interpersonal interaction with team members. 
    		•

    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 candidate to identify sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from visual and physical examinations and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazards and sub-standard conditions will indicate his/her 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 safely understand the consequences of not adhering to standards in terms of the safety of all persons working underground. 
    		•

    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 and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
    > Mandatory Codes of Practice.
    > SANS and other relevant Standards.
    > Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Site Specific:
    > Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
    > Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
    > Voluntary Codes of Practice.
    > Managerial Instructions.
    > Mine Standard Procedures.
    > List of Recorded OH and S Risks.
    > Working Guides.
    > Equipment and Materials Specifications of 1993. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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.