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

Carry out secondary breaking using explosives in surface excavations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257037  Carry out secondary breaking using explosives in surface excavations 
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  11 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
116666  Carry out secondary breaking using explosives  Level 3  NQF Level 03  11   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of carrying out secondary breaking using explosives 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 secondary breaking.
  • Prepare for secondary blasting.
  • Conduct secondary blasting operations.
  • Carry out post blast procedures. 
    		•

    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 and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard is applicable to surface excavations which include surface mines and quarries. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of secondary breaking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different types of explosives and accessories used for secondary blasting are identified and their functions explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various initiation systems and components used are identified and their functions explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The basic parameters of secondary blasting design are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Size of rock.
  • Rock integrity (fracture planes).
  • Depth/size of hole.
  • Amount/strength of explosives.
  • Confined/unconfined.
  • Multiple blasting.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The environmental effects of blasting are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Fly rock.
  • Noise.
  • Dust.
  • Air blast.
  • Gas and vapours.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Applicable legislation and the implications for secondary blasting are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The procedure for and the implications of the destruction of explosives are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Safety procedures and mechanisms to be implemented during blasting are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Risks and hazards that can be encountered during secondary blasting are identified and mitigating measures explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Electrical hazards.
  • Charging hazards.
  • Radio emission hazards.
  • Firing hazards.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for secondary blasting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The oversize rock is identified and placed in a designated location suitable for secondary blasting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The rock is checked for misfires and treated in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The rock is assessed for the correct method to reduce size according to dimension, location/position and grade or quality of rock to be broken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The size and timing of the secondary rockbreaking by blasting is planned in conjunction with other drilling and blasting plus load/haul operations in the quarry in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Personal protective equipment is selected, checked and used in accordance with specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The secondary blasting equipment and tools are examined for sub-standard conditions and maintained to ensure there are no hazards in the secondary blasting processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Blasting materials are obtained, checked and transported to site in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The explosives register is completed and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Blast safety procedures are implemented in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct secondary blasting operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Drill holes are marked and holes drilled in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Holes are loaded with explosives or unconfined charges placed and suitable stemming or cover material placed over the primers and charges in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Timing and connections are made in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Blast area clearance procedures are carried out in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The blast is initiated in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Environmental aspects are monitored and anomalies dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Fly rock.
  • Noise.
  • Dust.
  • Gas and vapours.
  • Air blast.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Carry out post blast procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fragmentation of the oversize rock is examined and checks made for misfires plus unexploded explosive material to be treated in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A blast report is prepared and submitted in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Blasting equipment is inspected and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Drilling equipment.
  • Shot Exploder.
  • Circuit tester.
  • Firing cables.
  • Siren.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • 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 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Identification and use of explosives materials and accessories.
  • Identification and use of initiation systems and components.
  • Parameters of secondary blasting design.
  • Environmental impacts of blasting.
  • Legislation and implications for secondary blasting.
  • Risks and hazards associated with secondary blasting. 
    		•

    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 identify sub-standard and hazardous conditions,assess and take appropriate action. 

    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. 

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

    Note: The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment is required and communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions and assistance required. 

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

    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from visual and physical examinations and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 

    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 hazards 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 ability of the candidate to use equipment, follow processes and access and record data in a technological environment in accordance with environmental, occupational health and safety requirements. 

    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 and refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms understanding that a specific observation, inference, action or decision can have a devastating effect. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 116666, "Carry out secondary breaking using explosives", Level 3, 11 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  62869   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations  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.
     
    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.