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: 

Mark off and map face sampling sections for mineral evaluation purposes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9754  Mark off and map face sampling sections for mineral evaluation purposes 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
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  11 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 is for persons who have the responsibility to mark off and map face sampling sections for correlating and evaluating the mineral content of a mineral deposit. Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sampling and valuation terminology
  • Prepare to mark off face
  • Mark off face sample sections
  • Map the face
  • check and report 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    As well as competency in numeracy and literacy skills equivalent to NQF level 3, competency in the following aspects will facilitate better understanding of this unit standard:

    Locate a surface or underground geographical position.
    The ability to correctly identify the relevant stratigraphic horizons and lithological types that occur within the specific geological environment of the mineral deposit and mine. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard is intended to cover the mapping and sampling of faces in surface or underground mines where representative sample material is collected for mineral evaluation purposes. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Mark off and map face sections for mineral evaluation purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of sampling and valuation terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Prepare to mark off face. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Mark off face sample sections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Map the face. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Check and report. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of sampling and valuation terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The explanation of the methods and procedures for the marking-off and mapping of mineral exposures is consistent with documented best practice and specified requirements. Use of terminology relating to marking-off and mapping is accurate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description of geological characteristics and use of terminology is accurate and confirms understanding. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The consequences of inadequately described and/or poorly recorded parameters during mapping and marking off are described in terms of the impact on the mineral evaluation procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Basic principles associated with face sampling and mapping are explained with reference to the type, size and nature of the sample. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The importance of sampling is explained with reference to the impact of contamination and accuracy on assay values and panel profitability. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare to mark off face. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Tools and equipment are appropriate to the task, clean and operational in accordance with work instructions and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Personal protective equipment is appropriate to the conditions, operational and used in accordance with its design, documented best practice and legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The procedure for gaining permission to enter the workplace is consistent with specified requirements and legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Workplace examination identifies all hazardous and sub-standard conditions. The response and/or corrective action is appropriate to the situation and complies with the specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The cleaning of the mining face is in accordance with best practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The consequences of not adhering to the proper preparation are explained with reference to health and safety, mineral evaluation principles and loss of production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Mark off face sample sections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Work related hazards and associated risks are explained, and if found, dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. The consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The positioning and fixing of the sample sections is in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The determination of the dip and strike of the mineral deposit is in accordance with recognised sampling and geological procedures. The importance of determining true dip and strike are explained with reference to the evaluation process and panel profitability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The examination and identification of the stratigraphic units/markers is accurate and in accordance with recognised sampling and geological procedures 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reference must be made to both of the following:
    i) Selected mineable horizons and stratigraphic units within the mineral channel width.
    ii) Stratigraphic units above and below the mineral channel, where they are exposed.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The marking-off of the sampling section is accurate and consistent with sampling and geological procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Face sample sections are measured and recorded in accordance with specified requirements and recognised sampling procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reference must be made to:
    a) Face widths
    b) Stope widths
    c) Internal and external waste widths
    d) Sample width
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Conditions affecting the identification of mineralogy and marking-off of the sample are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. The consequences of non-compliance and their effect on the evaluation result are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Map the face. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The identification, correlation, measurement and recording of the layers of mineralisation and geological discontinuities is in accordance with specified requirements and recognised sampling and geological procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The correlation of the stratigraphic units/markers between sampling sections is accurate and in accordance with geological procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Conditions affecting the identification of mineralogy and mapping of the face are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. The consequences of non-compliance and their effect on the evaluation result are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Check and report. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Tools and equipment are collected and stored in preparation for leaving the workplace. Defective tools and equipment are identified and dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The allocation, recording and reconciliation of each individually identified sample point number is in accordance with best sampling practice and demonstrates understanding of the evaluation process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Specified reporting requirements are met. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • 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 in this Unit Standard must be registered with SAQA and must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be done by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    All of the embedded knowledge required for this unit standard is contained in the Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. 

    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. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively. 

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

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

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

    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. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the self-development of the learner and the social and economic development of society 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

    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 (Act 29 of 1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations (Act 50 of 1991)
  • Regulations
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • South African Bureau of Standards and other standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` directives


    Site specific
  • Hazard identification and Risk Assessment (HISA)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Assessment Management Programme
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice
  • Managerial Instructions
  • Mine Standard Procedures
  • List of recorded OH&S Risks
  • Working Guides
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications


    Other Terms
  • Face sampling section:
    This means, that position on the mineral deposit where an area is demarcated for the purpose of taking a sample.
  • Tools and equipment:
    This includes, but is not limited to, pencil, field book, measuring tapes, clino-rule, chalk and paint.
  • Hazardous and sub-standard conditions:
    This means, but is not limited to, bad hanging, poor ground conditions, unsupported areas, gases, heat, steepness, fall of grounds and a face that is unprepared for marking off.
  • Mining face:
    This means any mineral exposure.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks:
    This means, but is not limited to, sockets, misfired holes, geological discontinuities, excessive heights, working at elevated conditions, shaft sinking conditions and steepness.
  • Positioning and fixing:
    This means establishing the positions of the first and last sections to be marked off on the mining face and locating these positions relative to survey points.
  • Measured:
    This means, but is not limited to, locating and determining the thickness, dip and strike of observed features.
  • Conditions affecting the identification of mineralogy and marking-off of the sample:
    This means, but is not limited to, dirty face, excessive water, falls of ground, defective tools, heat, steepness and difficult working conditions.
  • Geological discontinuities and disturbances:
    This means, but is not limited to, faults, dykes, sills, potholes, rolls, folds, strike and dip changes. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65549   National Certificate: Mining Technical Support  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  50082   Further Education and Training Certificate: Minerals Surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  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.
     
    1. CADDIS TRADING CC 
    2. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 


    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.