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: 

Achieve and maintain mining excavation stability with support installation in a high wall open pit or strip mine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9811  Achieve and maintain mining excavation stability with support installation in a high wall open pit or strip mine 
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 2  NQF Level 02 
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 will be useful to people who are responsible to achieve and maintain mining excavation stability with support in a high wall open pit or strip mine.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • demonstrate knowledge of support installation to achieve excavation stability
  • prepare for support installation
  • install support
  • conduct a post-installation procedure 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Communication skills (Language at ABET Level 3).
  • Knowledge of strata (identification of strata).
  • Use relevant tools and measuring instruments. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Achieve and maintain mining excavation stability with support installation in a high wall open pit o 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of support installation to achieve excavation stability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Prepare for support installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Install support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Conduct a post- installation procedure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of support installation to achieve excavation stability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Explanations are provided outlining the entry and watering down procedures in line with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Explanations are provided concerning adverse conditions in terms of the means for recognition and actions for correction. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Heat
  • Dust
  • Ventilation
  • Ground conditions
  • Harmful gases
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Explanations are provided regarding the density and installation of the specified support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Explanations are provided outlining the purpose of the support installation to ensure a safe production environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Explanations are provided outlining the requirements pertaining to the cleaning and preparation of the footwall prior to installation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare for support installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The required personal protective equipment is selected, examined and used in a way that is consistent with its purpose, design and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. All tools, material and equipment required for support installation are selected, examined and ensured to be ready for use according to specified procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The transportation of tools, material and equipment is in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The work place is examined for substandard conditions and hazards that are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The consequences of inadequate preparation to install support are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Install support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The temporary support positions are marked off in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The installation procedure for temporary support is conducted according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The permanent support positions are marked off in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The installation of the permanent support is conducted according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The consequences of inadequate support installation are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct a post installation procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Quality control inspections are performed according to specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Quality and monitoring of installation
  • Spacing of support units
  • Support failure
  • Effectiveness or ineffectiveness
  • Suitability of units installed
  • Replacement of damaged units
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Quality control and identification of anomalous adverse ground conditions are explained in terms of potential hazards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Excessive closure or closure rate
  • Sudden closure
  • Back break
  • Open fractures or joints
  • Excessive bed separation
  • Relative rock displacements
  • Loosening
  • Premature support
  • Unit failure
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The method of dealing with defective tools and equipment is according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Good housekeeping is practised according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The consequences of deviating from specific requirements are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 


    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 to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Health and safety knowledge.
  • Report writing.
  • Legal and site-specific requirements. 

  • 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 ability of the candidate to achieve and maintain mining stability with support. 

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

    Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to request assistance with support installation in an appropriate manner as a member in the bigger organisational structure. 

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

    Note: The preparation for support installation must indicate that the candidate can organise and manage activities in his/her work environment. 

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

    Note: The ability to recognise changing ground conditions and has knowledge of the appropriate action to take. The candidate must be able to interpret and apply mine standards. 

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

    Note: 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 communication. 

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

    Note: The use of mechanised equipment and support types as well as consideration of a variety of types indicates effective 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.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify hazardous conditions. The effect of non-compliance and deviation from mine standards will indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken has more than one effect. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 

  • 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  59549   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    3. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    4. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(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.