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 surface processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376226  Demonstrate an understanding of surface processes 
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  5 
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 
This unit standard will be useful to people who work or intend to work within a mining and minerals context.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principal processes of weathering and their associated landforms.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principal types of erosive processes and their associated landforms.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principal types of depositional processes and their associated landforms.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principal mineral deposits formed through weathering, erosion and deposition. 
    		•

    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 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following range applies to the entire unit standard:
  • This unit standard covers the demonstration of an understanding of surface processes. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principle processes of weathering and their associated landforms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal processes of weathering are identified, defined and described in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Mechanical weathering.
  • Chemical weathering.
  • Biological weathering.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal processes associated with mechanical weathering are identified, defined and described and the product generated identified, defined and described in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Mechanical loading.
  • Thermal loading.
  • Wetting and drying.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principal processes associated with chemical weathering are identified, defined and described and the product generated identified, defined and described in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Solution.
  • Oxidation.
  • Hydration.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principal processes associated with biological weathering are identified, defined and described and the product generated identified, defined and described in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Root action.
  • Bacterial action.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principal landforms associated with weathering are identified and defined and described, the relationship between the geology and the landform discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Karst topography.
  • Granite tors.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principal types of erosive processes and their associated landforms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal erosive processes are identified, defined and described in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Rivers.
  • Sea.
  • Wind.
  • Ice.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal landforms associated with river erosion are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Valleys.
  • River channels.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principal landforms associated with sea erosion are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Bays.
  • Headlands.
  • Wave cut platforms.
  • Sea cliffs.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principal landforms associated with wind erosion are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Driekanters.
  • Deflation surfaces.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principal landforms associated with ice erosion are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Glaciated surfaces.
  • Cirques.
  • Fjords.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principle types of depositional processes and their associated landforms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principle depositional processes are identified, defined and described in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Rivers.
  • Sea.
  • Wind.
  • Ice.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal landforms associated with river deposition are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Deltas.
  • Meandering river channels.
  • Braided river channels.
  • Alluvial fans.
  • Flood plains.
  • Sand bars.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principal landforms associated with sea deposition are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Bars.
  • Beaches.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principal landforms associated with wind deposition are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Sand dunes.
  • Loess.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principal landforms associated with glacial deposition are identified, defined and described, their relationship with the associated geology discussed and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Moraine.
  • Crag and tail.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The principal physical processes associated with river deposition are identified, defined and described and their product discussed in standard geological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The principal physical processes associated with sea deposition are identified, defined and described and their product discussed in standard geological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The principal physical processes associated with wind deposition are identified, defined and described and their product discussed in standard geological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The principal physical processes associated with glacier deposition are identified, defined and described and their product discussed in standard geological terminology. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principal mineral deposits formed through weathering, erosion and deposition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal mineral deposits formed through weathering processes are identified, defined and described and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal mineral deposits formed through erosional processes are identified, defined and described and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principal mineral deposits formed through depositional processes are identified, defined and described and examples identified in standard geological terminology. 


    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 context of the unit standard:
  • The principal characteristics of weathering, erosional and depositional processes.
  • The physical processes associated with weathering, erosional and depositional processes.
  • The landforms produced by weathering, erosional and depositional processes.
  • The mineral deposits produced by weathering, erosional and depositional processes. 
    		•

    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 relate weathering, erosional and depositional landforms and mineral deposits to an individual process contributes to his/her problem solving ability. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively:
  • The ability of the learner to integrate the geological data indicates that the learner can organise and manage activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to integrate geological data will enhance the learner's proficiency to collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations:
  • The ability of the learner to reconcile the data from various sources will indicate the learner's proficiency in effective communication. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:
  • The analysis of the geological data pertaining to the various weathering, erosional and depositional processes described and relate these to the formation of mineral deposits will indicate the learners understanding of science and 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;
  • The ability of the learner to understand the interrelationship between weathering, erosional and depositional processes, their impact on the land surface and formation of mineral deposits will contribute to their understanding of the whole world. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Reflect on, and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively and to contribute to the full development of each learner to enhance the social and economic development of the society at large:
  • The ability of the learner to explore more than one strategy to identify the weathering, erosional and depositional processes and how they relate to the formation of specific landforms and mineral deposits can be applied inside and outside the work environment to enhance the socio-economic development of family-life and the community at large. 
    		•

    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 and/or laid down procedures are contained in one or more of the following:
  • Training manuals.
  • Education manuals, including geological text books.
  • Geological illustrations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  77963   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining/Exploration Geology  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.