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

Manufacture explosives on-site for surface excavations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260984  Manufacture explosives on-site for 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  8 
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 reflects the skills, values and knowledge required by people in the field of Small Scale Mining who are required to manufacture explosives on site for surface excavations.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Calculate the amounts of the ingredients needed to manufacture the required explosives.
  • Collect and mix the components into a uniformly blended explosives product.
  • Record and account for both the ingredients and the explosives produced.
  • Carry out basic maintenance and housekeeping on the mixing equipment. 
    		•

    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.
  • Occupational Health and safety at NQF Level 2.
  • Information Technology at NQF Level 2.
  • Handle, store and transport explosives at NQF Level 2.
  • Basic understanding of operations in surface mines and quarries at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Calculate the amounts of the ingredients needed to manufacture the required explosives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The parameters in the blast design are checked for influence on the required quantity and quality of explosives in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Numbers of holes.
  • Hole diameters.
  • Hole depths including sub-drill.
  • Stemming depths.
  • Charge lengths.
  • Decking and or air gaps.
  • Hole anomalies (cavities, water).
  • Explosive strength and density.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The volume and density of the required explosives ingredients is calculated in accordance with the blast design. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Explosives ingredients must include:
  • Ammonium nitrate.
  • Fuel (diesel).
  • Additives.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Collect and mix the components into a uniformly blended explosives product. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks are identified and dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explosives components are ordered, received, stored and collected timeously in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    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 4 
    All equipment and tools required for mixing of the explosives are selected, examined and ensured to be ready for use in accordance with operational requirements according to specified procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The explosives components are mixed to correct specifications and placed into containers or receptacles according to the relevant procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The mixed explosives are kept secure and transported to the point of use in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Record and account for both the ingredients and the explosives produced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks are identified and dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The weights and volumes of ingredients used to manufacture the explosives are recorded and kept in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The volumes/mass of explosives manufactured is measured and records produced and kept in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Records are maintained of amounts of explosives delivered to blast site, utilized and/or destroyed in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Carry out basic maintenance and housekeeping on the mixing equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks are identified and dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The containers of both components and for explosives transport are disposed of in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The equipment and tools are cleaned to ensure there are no residual explosives and/or an environmental problem in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The equipment and tools are examined for sub-standard conditions and maintained to ensure there are no hazards in the manufacture of explosives, in accordance with operational requirements. 


    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 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Characteristics and function of explosive materials.
  • Volume and density calculations.
  • The influence of blasting design parameters on explosives manufacturing.
  • Mixing of explosives components.
  • Requirements for housekeeping and maintenance of mixing equipment. 
    		•

    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 possible anomalous or hazardous conditions, assess their impact and take the necessary precautionary when manufacturing explosives on site for surface excavations. 

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

    Note: The learner communicates effectively with all role players to ensure that explosives are manufactured on site effectively and safely. 

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

    Note: The use of modern explosives technology in the manufacturing of explosives on site in surface excavations. 

    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 learner understands the impact of upstream, downstream and parallel activities in the process of manufacturing explosives on site, and his own role in that 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. Explosives Act and Regulations (Act 15/2003), 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.
  • Guidelines issued by Chief Inspector of Mines.

    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  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.