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 the process of defining a ground control district 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256843  Demonstrate an understanding of the process of defining a ground control district 
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  3 
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 for people who are pursuing a career in rock engineering.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of the processes related to identification of ground control districts in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of "mining environments" as well as "ground control districts".
  • Demonstrate an understanding of different processes to define ground control districts.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the process to follow the initial identification of ground control districts.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the reasons for changing ground control districts. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of "mining environments" as well as "ground control districts". 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The major strategies that indicate the existence of different environments are listed and explained in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Different mining methods.
  • Different mine layout.
  • Different regional support strategies.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The strategies that indicate the existence of different ground control districts are listed and explained within the context of different mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Different mining practices (direction, leads/lags, etc).
  • Different support systems (local and regional).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need to identify ground control districts is explained ion the context of both on-reef and off-reef mining excavations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of different processes to define ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The identification of the different mine-specific mining environments is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different processes available to identify ground control districts are listed and explained within the context of different mining environments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Stability criteria plans (geological horizon thickness, channel widths, middlings, etc).
  • Stability criteria matrix (rating of stability criteria for each area).
  • Rock mass characterisation.
  • Seismic response patterns.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The advantages and disadvantages of each of the processes are explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Stability criteria plans.
  • Stability criteria matrix.
  • Rock mass characterisation.
  • Seismic response patterns.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The process used in the identification of the different ground control districts, is explained in the context of mine-specific environments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate understanding of the process to follow the initial identification of ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for visualization of the identified ground control districts is explained in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need for a close working relationship between the mining personnel, geological and rock engineering practitioners is explained in terms of the process of identifying ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of inadequately identified ground control districts are explained in terms of the occupational health and safety of workers. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the causes of changing ground control districts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The causes of changing ground control districts on an ongoing basis are explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Geological environment changes.
  • Stress field changes.
  • Closure rate changes.
  • Seismic behaviour changes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need to repeat the ground control district definition process annually is explained in the context of mining operations. 


    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 with 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 is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Knowledge and understanding that the assessor will evaluate:
  • "Mining environments" as well as "ground control districts".
  • Different processes to define ground control districts.
  • The process to follow the initial identification of ground control districts.
  • The reasons for changing ground control districts.

    Causes and effects (Occupational Health and Safety):
  • Use of equipment.
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Adherence to occupational health and safety requirements.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Occupational health, safety and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    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 selection of the most appropriate identification process and evaluation of the process results to ascertain its value indicates the learner's ability. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to involve team members in the selection of criteria and derivation of criteria limits. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to systematically work through the identification and evaluation process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to critically evaluate mining and rock mass conditions in an attempt to identify instability criteria. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to communicate the existence and limits of the identified ground control districts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The use of monitoring systems to ascertain stability criteria. 
    		•

    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 that effective identification of anomalous mining conditions into ground control districts and the allocation of appropriate strata control actions to remedy the specific conditions, affects the safety of workers. 
    		•

    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.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  62796   Further Education and Training Certificate: Strata Control 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.