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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Monitor tailings dam technical performance parameters 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9733  Monitor tailings dam technical performance parameters 
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 3  NQF Level 03  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2005-04-13  2008-04-13  SAQA 0859/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-04-13   2012-04-13  

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 responsible for monitoring tailings dam technical performance parameters. A person credited with this unit standard can:
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to the monitoring of tailings dam technical performance parameters.
  • Prepare to monitor technical performance parameters.
  • Monitor technical performance parameters.
  • Complete duties pertaining to the monitoring of the technical performance parameters. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Literacy and numeracy at ABET 4 or equivalent.

    Competence in the following:
  • Occupational health, safety and environmental practices within the tailings environment.
  • Use of measuring equipment.
  • Fundamentals of tailings dams - Level two. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    None 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Monitor tailings dam technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge relating to the monitoring of tailings dam technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Prepare to monitor technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Monitor technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Complete duties pertaining to the monitoring of the technical performance parameters. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to the monitoring of tailings dam technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The legal and specified requirements pertaining to a safe, healthy work environment on tailings dam and the consequences of not adhering to the above are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The importance of monitoring tailings dam technical performance parameters in terms of achieving specified production requirements is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Hazards and associated risks, pertaining to the monitoring process, identified through specified risk assessment procedures, and the actions to be taken should they be encountered, are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The specifications and the observation points of the monitoring process are identified and their functions explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Freeboard,
  • Slope angle,
  • Drain flows,
  • Drains,
  • Solution trenches
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The principal components of the monitoring process are identified and their functions explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Piezometer,
  • Filter drains,
  • Dipmeter,
  • Stand pipe,
  • Logsheet,
  • Freeboard datum poles,
  • Measuring cylinder,
  • Safety devices.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The specified communication requirements pertaining to the technical performance parameters monitoring process and consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The actions to be taken, should specified sub-standard conditions and problems be encountered, are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare to monitor technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective and safety equipment is verified, examined and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Specified measuring equipment is verified and examined in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Workplace hazards and associated risks are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Safety and health procedures towards self and others are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct technical performance parameters inspection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective and safety equipment is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Measuring equipment is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The condition of each component is observed and recorded in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Work related hazards and associated risks are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The technical performance parameters monitoring process is consistent with environmental policy and other specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Problems encountered in the monitoring process are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Safety and health procedures towards self and others are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Complete duties pertaining to the monitoring of technical performance parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective and safety equipment is dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Measuring equipment is dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Good housekeeping practices are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is addressed in specific outcome `Demonstrate knowledge relating to the monitoring of tailings dam technical performance parameters`, as well as other assessment criteria throughout the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

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

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

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    1. Specified Requirements include Legal Requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Managerial instructions
  • Codes of practice
  • Plant standards
  • Standard task procedures
  • Risk assessment documentation
  • Working guides
  • Manufacturer`s specifications
  • Health and Safety management programme
  • Mines Health and Safety Act
  • Minerals Act and regulations
  • Security procedures
  • Environmental Legislation

    2. Tailings - the waste residue generated by mines and industries after the recovery of the desirable commodities.

    3. Tailings dam - the repository where the tailings are deposited for disposal.

    4. Slurry - the mixture of tailings and water.

    5. Piezometer - a device, typically an open-ended small diameter pipe embedded vertically in the tailings that allows the water level within the tailings deposit to be measured with a special instrument.

    6. Dipmeter - the instrument used to measure the piezometer (water) level in the piezometer.

    7. Datum Pole - a pole embedded on or around the tailings dam on which a reference level of known elevation is indicated for use as a benchmark from which to reference level measurements. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49044   National Certificate: Mineral Processing, Gold Extraction  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-08-20  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.