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 strata control theory and terminology relevant to mining environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336940  Demonstrate an understanding of strata control theory and terminology relevant to mining environment 
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  8 
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 standard will make the qualifying learners understand basics of science that deals with structure, composition of the formation of earth in underground mines, surface mines, quarries and small-scale mines.

People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic rock mechanics terminology.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the physical mining environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of geological discontinuities and associated hazards.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of pillars in mining.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the term "Remnant" and remnant precautions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the term "Special Areas" and controls required in such areas. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in the following:
  • 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 mechanics terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic terminologies used in strata control and rock mechanics are described in accordance with industry guidelines for terminology's. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Strata control include but not limited to:
  • Mass.
  • Weight.
  • Gravity.
  • Stress/strain (tensile, compressive, virgin stress and induced stress).
  • Deformation.
  • Load/force.
  • Closure.
  • Elastic convergence.
  • Abutment and abutment angle.
  • Rock Strengths (UCS UTS Point Loads).
  • System Internationale units (SI Units).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relationship between mass, weight and stress are described in terms of basic rock mechanics terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inadequate knowledge and understanding of basic strata control (Rock Mechanics) terminology are provided in terms of performing strata control functions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the physical mining environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different physical mining environments are explained in the context of strata control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mining environment includes but not limited to:
  • Underground hard rock mining in deep, moderate deep and shallow environments.
  • Surface mining (Open pits strip mining quarries).
  • Underground coal mining (depth, multi seam, massive deposits, dip and seam thickness, roof and floor conditions, hydraulic conditions, methane content, in seam intrusions).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of mining in a shallow, intermediate and deep environment on stress distribution are explained in the context of strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inadequate knowledge and understanding of the mining environment as covered in 2.1 and 2.2 are provided in the context of strata control. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of geological discontinuities and associated hazards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different geological discontinuities exposed during mining are explained in the context of strata control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Geological discontinuities include but not limited to:
  • Dykes and sills.
  • Faults.
  • Jointing.
  • Slips.
  • Potholes.
  • Shear zones.
  • Domes.
  • Bedding planes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The associated hazards (as above) related to mining in the vicinity of the different geological discontinuities are explained in the context of strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inadequate knowledge of the associated hazards related to mining in the vicinity of the different geological discontinuities are explained in the context of strata control. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the role of pillars in mining. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various pillar types and their role are explained in the context of strata control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pillar type include but not limited to:
  • Regional/barrier/stabilising.
  • Crush.
  • Yield.
  • Non-yield.
  • Bracket (Protection of fault planes).
  • Protection.
  • Boundary.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of inadequate pillar dimensions are explained in the context of strata control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pillar dimension include but not limited to:
  • Seismic activity.
  • Damage to protected excavations.
  • Regional collapses/back breaks.
  • Working place hanging wall instability and possible collapse.
  • Pillar bursts and pillar run.
  • Exposure of workers to higher-risk environment.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the term "Remnant" and remnant precautions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "remnant" is explained in the context of strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The Causes of the creation of remnants are listed and explained in elementary terms. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include the following:
  • Seismic activity.
  • Falls of ground.
  • Loss of access.
  • Poor mining sequence control.
  • Grade distribution.
  • Geological structures.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Physical mining conditions in a remnant are explained in the context of strata control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include the following:
  • Geological disturbances.
  • Stress fracturing.
  • Closure rate.
  • Rockwall conditions.
  • Scaling.
  • Spalling.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Possible remnant precautions are listed in the context of strata control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Remnant precautions include but not limited to:
  • Support installation.
  • Access control.
  • Panel length.
  • Stoping width.
  • Advance per blast.
  • Advance per month.
  • Mining sequence.
  • Bracket pillars on geological structures.
  • Partial extraction.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of not conforming to recommended remnant precautions are explained in the context of strata control. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the term "Special Areas" and controls required in such areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "Special Area" is explained in the context of strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The classification of special areas is explained in the context of strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The necessary procedures and controls when an area is classified as a special area is explained in the context of strata control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of non-compliance to the special areas procedures is explained in the context of strata control. 


    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 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.
  • 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:
  • Basic rock mechanics terminology.
  • Physical mining environment.
  • Geological discontinuities and associated hazards.
  • The role of pillars in mining.
  • "Remnant" and remnant precautions.
  • "Special Areas" and controls required in such areas. 
    		•

    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 learner to evaluate the hazards associated with strata control issues and be able to identify the need for appropriate controls and prevention precautions, confirms. 
    		•

    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 other personnel with regard to appropriate precautions, controls, quality control and support installation to address the hazards confirms. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The use of science and technology is promoted through the use of stope support types and mining methods as well as pillar designs to address the risks associated with strata control issues. 
    		•

    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 understanding of the rock mass response to mining and strata control related issues assists to ensure the health and safety of mining personnel confirms. 
    		•

    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.