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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Surface Mining Rockbreaking 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21842  National Certificate: Surface Mining Rockbreaking 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  147  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 0160/05  2006-11-07  2008-09-17 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-09-17   2012-09-17  

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 qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
62869  National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  141  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

This qualification is aimed at people who work or intend to work within a surface mining mineral extraction context, and who seek recognition for essential skills in rockbreaking operations.

Recipients of this qualification know about and are able to conduct the essential operations associated with efficient and safe mineral excavation in open pit and strip mining operations.

The qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible to people who are able to demonstrate the competencies required to work safely in open pit and strip-mining operations.

Rationale:

The majority of the candidates for this qualification are likely to be working in the mining and minerals sector. This qualification will give them the opportunity to balance their practical skills with the essential knowledge needed to earn a formal qualification in open pit or strip mining operations.

There is also a critical need in the industry to identify people who are able to conduct the essential operations associated with efficient and safe mineral extraction in open pit and strip-mining operations. 

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:
  • Company induction.
  • Appropriate licence (authorization) to operate in the work area.
  • Workplace health and safety standards.
  • Communication skills (Language at ABET Level 3).
  • Basic knowledge of inpit or strip-mining operations.
  • An understanding of basic principles of information technology.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through recognition of prior learning in terms of the criteria laid out in "Exit level outcomes and rules of combination".

    Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

    All such evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment described in the note to assessors in item "Qualification Notes".

    Access to the qualification:

    This qualification is open to anyone with access to both learning opportunities and work experience in the areas reflected in the exit level outcomes and unit standards. It is advisable that candidates should already have addressed the areas reflected under "learning assumptions" before embarking on learning towards this qualification, although the exact starting point depends on the available resources for learning. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Candidates for a National Certificate in Mining Operations: Surface Mining must achieve the credits as per the following summary.
  • Fundamental:
    > 20 Communications Credits.
    > 16 Mathematics Credits.
  • Core:
    > All 65 Credits (Core to open pit or strip-mining rockbreaking).
    > All 26 Credits (Generic to the workplace or society in general).
  • Elective:
    > A minimum of 20 Credits from the list of Elective standards.

    Summary of credit composition:
  • Fundamental:
    > Level 2: 36 Credits.
    > Total to achieve: 36 Credits.
  • Core:
    > Level 1: 22 Credits.
    > Level 2: 48 Credits.
    > Level 3: 21 Credits.
    > Total to achieve: 91 Credits.
  • Elective:
    > Level 1: 15 Credits.
    > Level 2: 38 Credits.
    > Total to achieve: 20 of 53 Credits.
  • Total:
    > Level 1: 37 Credits.
    > Level 2: 122 Credits.
    > Level 3: 21 Credits.
    > Total to achieve: 147 of 180 Credits.
  • All Fundamental unit standards are compulsory (36 Credits).
  • All Core unit standards are compulsory (91 Credits).
  • A selection of Elective unit standards (minimum of 20 Credits).

    The level assigned to this qualification is appropriate as it is done according to SAQA's level descriptors. The following is illustrated about the qualification:
  • The process requires familiarity with the main areas of a discipline/subject.
  • A basic understanding of the discipline's key terms.
  • Familiarity with basic procedures and operations.
  • An ability to use the above to select appropriate procedures to solve familiar routine problems within given frameworks.
  • An ability to summarise, interpret and take a position on available information.
  • Well-developed literacy and numeracy skills in the required medium of instruction.

    This qualification will enable the qualifying learner to articulate to other Mining operation specialisation domains at NQF level 3. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    This qualification has the following exit level outcomes:

    1. Communicate in a variety of ways.
    2. Use mathematics in real life situations.
    3. Health and safety in the workplace.
    4. Core to Surface Mining Rockbreaking.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification addresses the following critical cross-field outcomes. The way in which the critical cross-field outcomes are addressed is presented in detail in the unit standards.
  • Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
  • Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, or community.
  • Organizing and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information.
  • Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
  • Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Learning programmes directed towards this qualification will also contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making individuals aware of the importance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities; and developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1:
  • Maintain and adapt oral communication.
  • Access and use information from texts.
  • Read and respond to literary texts.
  • Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes.

    2:
  • Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems with the context of relevant calculations
  • Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life.
  • Work with a range of patterns and functions to solve problems.
  • Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in 2-dimensions in different life or work contexts.
  • Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability in order to investigate life-related problems.

    3:
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of AIDS.
  • Carry out basic first aid treatment in the workplace of First aid.
  • Protect health and safety in the workplace.
  • Extinguish a fire by means of a fire extinguisher.
  • Understand emergency preparedness and response.
  • Understand the identification of hazards and risk and relevant response.
  • Understanding of legislation and compliance in terms of the Mining and Minerals Sector.
  • Understanding of Quality Management principles and processes.

    4:
  • Demonstrate knowledge regarding legal aspects, types and application of Explosives and Accessories.
  • Prepare and mark off work area for drilling.
  • Charge shot holes with explosives and initiate blast.
  • Treat and blast misfires.
  • Destroy old explosives in the workplace.
  • Remove hazardous ground by means of blasting.
  • Transport and distribute explosives using a light delivery vehicle.
  • Transport and distribute explosives using a heavy duty explosives vehicle.
  • Dewater blast holes using vehicle mounted dewatering pump.
  • Operate a skid steer loader.
  • Drill holes using large diameter rotary drill above 170mm.
  • Load, transport and place explosive components into blast holes using mixer-placer truck.

    Integrated assessment:

    For award of this qualification, the candidate must achieve the unit standards as per "Exit level outcomes and rules of combination".

    In addition, candidates must demonstrate the ability to effectively engage in the operations selected in an integrative way, dealing with divergent and "random" demands related to these work operations. Evidence is required that the candidate is able to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time of the award of the qualification. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification and the component unit standards have not been compared with similar qualifications of other countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification can act as a springboard from which people may progress to other qualifications in mining, mining-related sub-fields and mining supervision. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Providers offering learning towards achievement of any of the unit standards that make up this qualification must be accredited through the relevant ETQA by SAQA. The bulk of the unit standards are vocationally based and adequate facilities must be provided for the learner to practise and gain experience in a protected environment prior to assessment.
  • Internal moderation of assessment must take place at the point of assessment with external moderation provided by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • Assessors registered with the relevant ETQA must carry out the assessment of candidates for any of the unit standards that make up this qualification. The assessor must have contextual competence in the form of a certificate, qualification or experience related to the unit standards in which assessments intend being conducted. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments:
  • Focus the initial assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcomes expressed in the titles of the unit standards to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. The aim is to declare the person competent in terms of the qualification purpose. Where assessment at across titles or at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes. Take special note of the need for integrated assessment.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent as defined below:

    Principles of assessment:
  • Appropriate: The method of assessment is suited to the performance being assessed.
  • Fair: The method of assessment does not present any barriers to achievements, which are not related to the evidence.
  • Manageable: The methods used make for easily arranged, cost-effective assessments that do not unduly interfere with learning.
  • Integration into work or learning: Evidence collection is integrated into the work or learning process where this is appropriate and feasible.
  • Valid: The assessment focuses on the requirements laid down in the Standard; i.e. the assessment is fit for purpose.
  • Direct: The activities in the assessment mirror the conditions of actual performance as closely as possible.
  • Authentic: The assessor is satisfied that the work being assessed is attributable to the person being assessed.
  • Sufficient: The evidence collected establishes that all criteria have been met and that performance to the required Standard can be repeated consistently.
  • Systematic: Planning and recording is sufficiently rigorous to ensure that assessment is fair.
  • Open: Learners can contribute to the planning and accumulation of evidence. Assessment candidates understand the assessment process and the criteria that apply.
  • Consistent: The same assessor would make the same judgement again in similar circumstances. The judgement made is similar to the judgement that would be made by other assessors. 

  • NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by 62869, which is "National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations", Level 3, 141 credits.

    Range:
  • The unit standards provide the details of the ranges within which candidates are required to perform. (Open pit or strip-mining). 

  • UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  110075  Apply basic fire fighting techniques  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  11667  De-water blast holes using Vehicle Mounted De-watering Pump  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  14656  Demonstrate an understanding of sexuality and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  116527  Demonstrate knowledge pertaining to basic health and safety principles in and around a workplace  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  9708  Transport and distribute explosives using a Heavy-Duty Explosives Vehicle  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  11666  Transport and distribute explosives using a Light Delivery Explosives Vehicle  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Core  115101  Address workplace hazards and risks  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  116520  Apply safety, health and environmental principles and procedures in a workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  11702  Charge shot holes with explosives and initiate blast  Level 2  NQF Level 02  15 
    Core  116533  Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of emergency preparedness and response  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  11704  Destroy old explosives in the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  11017  Drill holes using Large Diameter Rotary Drill exceeding 170 mm  Level 2  NQF Level 02  12 
    Core  11673  Load, transport and place explosives components into blast holes using a Mixer-Placer Truck  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  115091  Monitor compliance to safety, health and environmental requirements in a workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  11128  Prepare and mark off work area for drilling  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  9714  Remove hazardous ground by means of blasting  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  11703  Treat and blast misfires  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  116534  Carry out basic first aid treatment in the workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  115093  Control workplace hazardous substances  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  11700  Demonstrate knowledge regarding legal aspects, types and application of Explosives and Accessories  Level 3  NQF Level 03  15 
    Fundamental  8963  Access and use information from texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9008  Identify, describe, compare, classify, explore shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional shapes in different contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8962  Maintain and adapt oral communication  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8967  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  11698  Illuminate an area using a Lighting Plant  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  11018  Operate a Skid Steer Loader  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  11026  Pump water using a Submersible De-watering Pump  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  11125  Pump water using an Electrical De-watering Pump  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  11697  Transport and distribute fuel using Off-Highway Fuel Bowser  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  10567  Transport personnel, material and equipment using Light Delivery Vehicle  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
    Elective  11016  Doze material using a Track Dozer with mass exceeding 30 000 kg  Level 2  NQF Level 02  16 
    Elective  11669  Drill holes using a Small Diameter Rotary Drill not exceeding 170 mm  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Elective  11671  Drill holes using Down The Hole Drill  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  11672  Drill holes using Track Type Percussion Drill  Level 2  NQF Level 02 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    2. KOLOMELA MINE 



    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.