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 drilling techniques 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376199  Demonstrate an understanding of drilling techniques 
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 
Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history and range of drilling.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of common drilling equipment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of drilling procedures.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of drilling operations. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the history and range of drilling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A brief history of drilling techniques is provided in the context of mining exploration and operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Preindustrial drilling techniques.
  • Early industrial drilling techniques.
  • Modern drilling techniques.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The historical range of drilling techniques is discussed and examples provided in the context of mining exploration and operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ranges of materials commonly drilled are discussed mining exploration and operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The historical importance of drilling in the mining industry is discussed and examples provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of drilling in the mining and exploration industry is discussed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of common drilling equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various types of drilling equipment commonly used in the mining and exploration industry are described in terms of best operating practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The fundamental components of typical drilling equipment are identified, described and their role in the drilling process defined in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The operational parameters of typical drilling equipment are identified in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The product of typical drilling equipment is identified and their uses in the mining and exploration industry described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of drilling procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The pre-setup drilling procedures are described in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The legal aspects relating to underground and surface drilling are discussed and described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The legal aspects relating to post drilling site cleanup are discussed and described in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The procedure required to select the appropriate drilling equipment for the specific drilling programme is discussed in terms of the required outcome. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The operational procedures of typical drilling equipment are described in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Potential and actual hazardous and sub-standard conditions that may impact on the drilling procedure are identified and potential remedial action to overcome them discussed in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Slippery surfaces.
  • Electricity in close proximity to water.
  • Poor illumination.
  • Sharp edges (trays and boxes).
  • Improperly/incorrectly stacked trays/boxes.
  • Sharp core edges.
  • Operating machinery in close proximity.
  • Spillage of fluids.
  • Adverse weather conditions (lightning).
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of drilling operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The common purposes of drilling within the mining and exploration industry are discussed in terms of best operating practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The typical drilling equipment used for specific drilling purposes are identified and discussed in terms of best operating practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The procedures for specific drilling purposes within the mining and exploration industry are discussed in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The operational parameters for specific drilling purposes within the mining and exploration industry are discussed in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The product of specific drilling purposes within the mining and exploration industry are discussed in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 


    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 history and range of drilling.
  • Common drilling equipment.
  • Drilling procedures.
  • The purpose of drilling operations. 
    		•

    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 the optimum drilling technique, parameters and required product for the specific programme contributes to his/her problem solving ability. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community:
  • The ability of the learner to accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to request assistance, when and if required, in an appropriate manner, indicates that he/she can work effectively as a team member in the bigger organizational structure. Other personnel will use the results of the drilling programme and his/her standard of work will enhance the efficiency of the team or group as a whole. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively:
  • The correct identification of the optimum drilling techniques, parameters and required product will indicate that the learner can organise and manage activities in his/her work environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to correctly identify the required drilling technique will enhance his/her proficiency to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. The identification of anomalous features that may influence the drilling programme will enhance the learner's ability to critically evaluate geological core 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 to organise the drilling programme will indicate the learner's efficiency in the mode of written presentations. The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazardous and sub-standard conditions will indicate his/her proficiency in effective oral communication. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:
  • The correct use of scientific geological nomenclature and technological knowledge will indicate that the learner is proficient in the use 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 relationship between the drilling programme, the expected geology and the requirements of the drilling programme indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific borehole cannot be drilled in isolation. Utilizing the information from other sources can enhance problem solving. 
    		•

    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 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:
  • Managerial instructions, including work instructions.
  • Codes of practice.
  • Standard task procedures.
  • Risk assessment documentation.
  • Working guides.
  • Training manuals.
  • Education manuals.
  • Geological textbooks. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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.