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

Conduct prospecting relevant to small-scale mining 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336963  Conduct prospecting relevant to small-scale mining 
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  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 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 prospecting for a small-scale mine.
  • Obtain information necessary for prospecting.
  • Conduct a site view showing signs of containing a mineral deposit. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of prospecting for a small-scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The information required to enable prospecting for small-scale mine is described in terms of specified legal requirements, 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Procedures to be followed during prospecting for small-scale mine is described in terms of specified legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The types of geotechnical information obtained from prospecting for a small-scale mine are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The geotechnical information includes but not limited to:
  • Deposit location.
  • Deposit geometry.
  • Deposit grade.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The methods of evaluating and interpreting data from prospecting for a small-scale mine are described in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Obtain information necessary for prospecting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The geographic information necessary for prospecting for a small-scale mine is obtained in terms of prospecting principles and practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Geographic information includes but not limited to:
  • Topographic maps.
  • Aerial photographs. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The geological information necessary for prospecting for a small-scale mine is obtained in terms of prospecting principles and practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Geological information includes but not limited to:
  • Geological maps of the area
  • Previous geological reports of the area
  • Metallogenic information of the area.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare for prospecting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Existing information is evaluated in terms of prospecting principles and practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Evaluation includes but not limited to:
  • Location of deposit.
  • Deposit geometry.
  • Deposit grade.
  • Metallogenic model.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information gaps within the existing data are identified in terms of prospecting principles and practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Prospecting methods to obtain outstanding information are identified in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct prospecting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Prospecting methods are selected and applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All prospecting information is collated and evaluated in accordance with prospecting principles and practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The prospecting information includes but not limited to:
  • Location of deposit.
  • Deposit geometry.
  • Deposit grade.
  • Metallogenic model.
     
    		•


    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 essential embedded knowledge will be assessed in an integrated manner in the Unit Standard:
  • Procedures to be followed during prospecting.
  • Geotechnical information obtained from prospecting.
  • Methods of evaluating and interpreting data from prospecting.
  • Geographic information required for prospecting.
  • Geological information required for prospecting.
  • Evaluating existing information.
  • Identifying Information gaps within the existing data.
  • Prospecting methods.
  • Collating and evaluating prospecting information. 
    		•

    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:
  • The ability of the learner to identify sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action while conducting prospecting activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • The ability and willingness of the learner to cooperate with other team members while conducting prospecting activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively:
  • The ability of the learner to approach prospecting activities in a planned and systematic manner. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to collect and record relevant samples and information accurately. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:
  • The learner is able to use advanced equipment and techniques pertaining to prospecting activities. 
    		•

    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:
  • The learner understands that prospecting activities largely determine the interaction between prospecting and what further mining activities may be conducted in an area and his role and the role of other parties and systems in that 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 
    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 & Safety Act and Regulations, 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/Instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    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 Material Specifications. 
    		•

    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.