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

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of rock engineering terminology, theory and mensuration 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254585  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of rock engineering terminology, theory and mensuration 
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  2 
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 to people who are pursuing a career in rock engineering rock engineering.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of elementary rock engineering terminology and definitions.
  • Demonstrate understanding of elementary rock engineering theory.
  • Apply rock engineering theory through the completion of calculations.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general knowledge and understanding of the basic concept of understanding elementary rock engineering terminology, theory and mensuration in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers. 
    		•

    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 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of elementary rock engineering terminology and definitions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Elementary rock mass properties are defined and described using rock engineering terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rock mass properties must include:
  • Friction.
  • Homogeneity.
  • Heterogeneity.
  • Isotropy.
  • Stiffness failure.
  • RQD.
  • Rock mass rating.
  • Peak strength.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Elementary rock engineering concepts are described in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Elementary rock engineering concepts must include:
  • Areal percentage extraction.
  • Volumetric percentage extraction.
  • Factor of safety.
  • Support resistance.
  • Work.
  • Energy.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Elementary rock testing terminology is defined and described in the mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Elementary rock testing terminology must include:
  • Uni-axial compression.
  • Tri-axial compression.
  • Shear strength.
  • Tensile tests.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of elementary rock engineering theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept and application of basic rock mass rating systems are explained in terms of rock engineering principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Commonly used rocks mass rating systems are listed in terms of a mining context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • NGI Q-system.
  • CSIR rock mass rating.
  • Laubcher rock mass rating.
  • Rockwall condition factor.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Input parameters of rock mass rating systems are explained in terms of rock engineering terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Joint conditions.
  • Water.
  • Block sizes.
  • Stress components.
  • Joint orientations.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply rock-engineering theory through the completion of calculations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic calculations are performed using mathematical formulae. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mathematical formulae must include:
  • Weight and mass of complex figures such as triangular prism.
  • Sphere.
  • Annulus.
  • Percentage areal and volumetric extraction of a mine on a pillar layout.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic calculations are performed using rock-engineering formulae. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rock-engineering formulae must include:
  • Virgin stress levels (vertical and horizontal).
  • Rock mass rating using Q-system, CSIR system and Laubcher's system.
  • Rock conditions using Rockwall condition factor.
  • Support resistance provided by a support unit.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification 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 qualification 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. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification 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 
  • Elementary rock mass properties.
  • Elementary rock engineering concepts.
  • Elementary rock testing terminology.
  • Concept and application of basic rock mass rating systems.
  • Commonly used rocks mass rating systems.
  • Input parameters of rock mass rating systems.
  • Safety, health 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 ability of the candidate to relate the application of some rock engineering theories to conditions underground, confirms. 

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

    Note: The ability of the candidate to collect the appropriate input parameters to calculations and evaluate the outcome of the calculations, confirms. 

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

    Note: The use of science and technology is promoted through the use of recent rock engineering theories, computer aided software and calculators. 

    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 the application of basic rock engineering theory through the ability to calculate certain parameters can assist to ensure the health and safety of mining personnel confirms. 

    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 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.

    Site-specific:
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.
  • Manufacturers Specifications.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.
  • Working Guides.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • Risk Assessment Documents.
  • South African Bureau of Standards and other standards. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  60369   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    3. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    4. SASOL GLOBAL LEARNING 
    5. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    6. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    7. 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.