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: 

Read and interpret surface excavation plans 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257057  Read and interpret surface excavation plans 
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 responsible for reading and interpreting surface excavation plans.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Understand the plan layout and features.
  • Interpret plans.
  • Record data on plans.
  • Perform relevant calculations.

    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. 
    		•

    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 the following:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand the surface excavation plan layout and features. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The plan is orientated against magnetic North or True North. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Compass (Magnetic North).
  • True North.
  • Excavation reference points and beacons.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Plan features are identified and their use/purpose explained in terms of standard mapping units. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Scale.
  • Legend.
  • Symbols and colours.
  • Contours.
  • Spot heights.
  • Quality contours.
  • Grid lines/references (coordinates).
  • Benchmark.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Various forms of projection are described and their purpose and use explained in the surface excavation context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Plan.
  • Section.
  • Elevation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Possible hazards and risks that may be encountered while working with plans are identified and possible mitigating actions discussed in terms of the relevant hazard identification and risk assessment procedure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Interpret surface excavation plans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Structures are identified by means of their standard symbols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Buildings.
  • Haul roads.
  • Ramps.
  • Power lines.
  • Water courses and table.
  • Boundary lines and fences.
  • Berms.
  • Geological features.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The coordinate and elevation systems in use are identified and explained in the surface excavation context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Spatial orientations in the surface excavation are calculated by means of measurement and interpreting the scale. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Distance.
  • Height.
  • Depth.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Gradients in the surface excavation are interpreted by means of contour lines, spot heights and elevations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Record data on plans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Blasting data is recorded on a surface excavation plan in accordance with legal and mine specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Blast block.
  • Outside lines (base).
  • Details of blast (burden, spacing, depth, timing).
  • Position of holes drilled.
  • Explosives used (type and quantity).
  • Result of break.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Simple surface excavation plans (sketches) are drawn in accordance with standard practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Plans are upgraded where required in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Occupational health and safety requirements are explained and adhered to in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform relevant calculations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Volumes and tonnages are calculated from the surface excavation plan using scale and measurement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Gradients are calculated in terms of the relevant method. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Ratio.
  • Angle.
  • Percentage.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Depth, height and distance are calculated by means of the relevant method. 


    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 with 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 unit standard.

    Knowledge relating to reading and interpreting quarry plans:
  • Types of maps/charts.
  • Standard features.
  • Standard symbols.
  • Projections.
  • Coordinate and elevation systems.
  • Spatial orientations.
  • Calculation of volume, tonnage, gradient, distance, depth, height.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Safety measures related to working in the surface mine/quarry.
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements:
  • Relevant clauses from applicable acts and regulations.
  • Codes of practice.
  • Standard symbols.
  • Legal requirements on maps.
  • Copying, filing, storage requirements.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements and ability.
  • Communicating with relevant personnel.
  • Liaison with associated operations and personnel. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

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

    Note:
  • The ability and willingness of the learner to interact with various other workers e.g. in the surface mine/in order to ensure consistent adherence to production and quality requirements. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to record, monitor and analyse the information from the surface mine/quarry plan in order to ensure comprehensive and accurate data. 
    		•

    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 learner to use and integrate with modern and sophisticated equipment and systems in the surface mine/quarry. 
    		•

    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 learner to understand the relationship between upstream, downstream and associated processes, and the impact that he may have in each regard. 
    		•

    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, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS 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 and 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
    Core  62869   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  64909   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  90655   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Not Applicable  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.