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: 

Re-establish stability after highwall/slope failure 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256862  Re-establish stability after highwall/slope failure 
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  4 
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 responsible for the design of slope/highwalls in open pit mining operations.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills and enable re-establishment of stability after a slope/highwall failure in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of geotechnical data collection relating to the slope/highwall that has failed.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of evaluation required of the geotechnical data to determine the most probable mechanism of failure.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of communication required of remedial measures. 
    		•

    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 an understanding of geotechnical data collection relating to the slope/highwall that has failed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A representative sample of geotechnical data is obtained and presented using accepted industry methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Discontinuity spacing and orientations.
  • Discontinuity condition(s).
  • Rock and discontinuity properties.
  • Visual observations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Groundwater flow patterns are determined using either readings from piezometers or results from numerical modelling of flow paths. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The spatial extent of the failure and bounding release surfaces are established using accepted techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Estimation through observations.
  • Tape measurements.
  • Photogammetry.
  • Ground penetrating radar.
  • Survey techniques.
  • Sonic logging.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A database of similar collapses is examined to determine failure mechanisms, remedial measures and the success of the stabilization programme in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The upper surface of the highwall is examined for evidence of existing or new tension cracks in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of evaluation required of the geotechnical data to determine the most probable mechanism of failure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The evaluations of geotechnical data collected to gain insight into possible mechanisms for failure are explained in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible failure mechanisms and ranking based on evidence presented by the collapse are explained using the geotechnical and mining data collected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The influence of groundwater is explained in terms of impact on the failure of the slope/highwall. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The type(s) of failure are listed in accordance with accepted slope/highwall failure nomenclature. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Planar.
  • Circular.
  • Wedge.
  • Toppling.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The techniques to test the influence of remedial measures in stabilizing similar failure geometries are described in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Analytical.
  • Empirical.
  • Numerical.
  • Statistical.
  • Best practice.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of communication required of remedial measures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for effective and timeous communication of re-establishment measures are provided in terms of legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • The final slope/highwall remedial measure programme to be discussed, peer reviewed and revise.
  • Programme to make safe the area within the immediate vicinity of the slope/highwall failure.
  • New slope/highwall dimensions.
  • Positions of drainage holes.
  • Support and stabilisation methods.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need for the planning and implementation of an instrumentation and monitoring program to monitor the effectiveness of the stabilization programme is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Observational.
  • Mechanical.
  • Digital.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not effectively and timeously communicating re-establishment measures are explained. 


    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 that the assessor will evaluate:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of geotechnical data collection relating to the slope/highwall that has failed.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of evaluation required of the geotechnical data to determine the most probable mechanism of failure.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of communication required of remedial measures.

    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 knowledge and understanding of the methods used to identify the likely cause of failure(s). 

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

    Note: The knowledge and understanding that a process needs to be followed to understand the mechanism of failure and likely remedial measures. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to understand the principles of data collection, back-analyse and evaluation. 

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

    Note: The use of neat annotated sketches and simple equations. 

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

    Note: The application of knowledge and understanding to mitigate recurring collapses in slopes/highwalls. 

    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 knowledge and understanding that information can be obtained from past failures, which can aid in preventing similar failures in future. 

    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, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SABS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.

    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.