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: 

Supervise tailings dam operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9732  Supervise tailings dam operations 
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 4  NQF Level 04  27 
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 is for persons responsible for the supervision of tailings dam operations. A person credited with this unit standard can:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and function of the operational aspects of a tailings dam.
  • Plan the deposition and dam development process.
  • Supervise the execution of the operation.
  • Complete duties pertaining to the supervision of tailings dam operations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Literacy and numeracy at ABET 4 or equivalent.

    Competence in the following:
  • Occupational health, safety and environmental practices within the tailings environment.
  • General and safety management skills.
  • Monitoring tailings dam technical performance parameters.
  • Fundamentals of tailings dams - Level two.
  • Relevant method of deposition.
  • Maintaining routine tailings dam performance records. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    None 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Supervise tailings dam operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and function of the operational aspects of a tailing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Plan the deposition and dam development process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Supervise the execution of the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Complete duties pertaining to the supervision of failings dam operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and function of the operational aspects of a tailings dam. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The legal and specified requirements pertaining to a safe, healthy work environment on tailings dam and the consequences of not adhering to the above are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The importance of supervising tailings dam operations in terms of achieving specified production requirements is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Hazards and associated risks, pertaining to the tailings dam operational process, identified through specified risk assessment procedures, and the actions to be taken should they be encountered, are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The purpose of maintaining development plans and programs is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The specifications documents of the tailings dam operational process are identified and their functions explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The principal components and equipment of the tailings dam operational process are identified and their functions explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Dam components,
  • Measuring equipment,
  • Operational equipment,
  • Safety devices.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The specified communication requirements and consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The specified emergency preparedness plans pertaining to the tailings dam operations are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. The actions to be taken, should specified sub-standard conditions and problems be encountered, are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Plan the deposition and dam development process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective and safety equipment is verified, examined and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Workplace hazards and associated risks are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The deposition and wall raising are planned in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The resources to follow the programme cycles are determined and procured in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Step-ins are planned in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Safety and health procedures towards self and others are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Supervise the execution of the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The use of personal protective and safety equipment is in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The use of tools and equipment is in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Work related hazards and associated risks are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Problems encountered are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The supervision of the tailings dam operation is in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include the supervision of:
  • Deposition,
  • Development
  • Maintenance
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Safety and health procedures towards self and others are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Complete duties pertaining to the supervision of tailings dam operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective and safety equipment is dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Tools and equipment are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Housekeeping practices are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. A planning, maintenance and management log of the operation is maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Specified reporting and data-recording requirements are met. 


    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 the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is addressed in specific outcome `Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and function of the operational aspects of a tailings dam`, as well as other assessment criteria throughout the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group/organisation/community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

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

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

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    1. Specified Requirements include Legal Requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Managerial instructions
  • Codes of practice
  • Plant standards
  • Standard task procedures
  • Risk assessment documentation
  • Working guides
  • Manufacturer`s specifications
  • Health and Safety management programme
  • Mines Health and Safety Act
  • Minerals Act and regulations
  • Security procedures
  • Environmental Legislation

    2. Tailings - the waste residue generated by mines and industries after the recovery of the desirable commodities.

    3. Tailings dam - the repository where the tailings are deposited for disposal.

    4. Penstock - the vertical drainage tower typically located in the basin of the dam.

    5. Deposition - the process or act of depositing the tailings typically as a slurry.

    6. Slurry - the mixture of tailings and water.

    7. Decant - the process of removing free water from the surface of the dam - typically either by penstock, or by pumping.

    8. Benches - the horizontal steps in the side slopes of a dam. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49049   Further Education and Training Certificate: Lump Ore Beneficiation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-02-18  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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. DE BEERS CONSOLIDATED MINES VENETIA 
    2. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    3. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 


    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.