Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction

Mark Shot And Pilot Holes In An Underground Mine Training

SAQA US 119097 | NQF 2 | Credits 6 | Duration 3 Days
From $967 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the competencies required to safely and accurately mark shot and pilot holes in an underground mine. It covers the planning, preparation, and execution of marking activities in accordance with mine safety standards and operational requirements.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply relevant safety and environmental procedures when marking shot and pilot holes.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret drilling plans and blast designs to identify hole positions.
  • Implement marking techniques to accurately position shot and pilot holes according to specifications.
  • Analyze ground conditions and adjust marking plans to ensure safe and effective drilling.
  • Evaluate the quality of marked holes and make corrections as needed.
  • Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors regarding hole marking activities.

Target Audience

This course is designed for underground mine workers, including drill operators, miners, and shift supervisors, who are responsible for marking shot and pilot holes as part of the drilling and blasting cycle.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Marking Shot and Pilot Holes

Objectives:
• Understand the purpose and safety requirements for marking shot and pilot holes in underground mining.
• Identify different types of drill holes and their applications.
• Interpret basic mine plans and survey markers.
• Demonstrate correct use of marking tools and personal protective equipment.

Topics:
• Introduction to drilling and blasting in underground mines
• Safety regulations and risk assessment for marking holes
• Types of drill holes: shot holes, pilot holes, and their functions
• Reading mine plans, survey pegs, and blast patterns
• Tools and equipment for marking: paint, tape measures, plumb bobs
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
• Communication protocols with drill operators and supervisors
• Overview of unit standard 119097 outcomes

Day 2: Practical Techniques for Accurate Marking

Objectives:
• Apply correct procedures for marking shot holes according to blast design.
• Demonstrate accurate marking of pilot holes for raise boring or tunnelling.
• Use surveying instruments to ensure hole alignment and spacing.
• Verify hole positions against mine plans and make adjustments as needed.

Topics:
• Step-by-step marking of shot holes: spacing, burden, and alignment
• Marking pilot holes: centre lines, collaring points, and orientation
• Using measuring tapes, string lines, and laser distance meters
• Checking hole positions with reference to survey markers
• Adjusting marks due to geological features or obstructions
• Recording marks and reporting to drill crew
• Common errors in marking and how to avoid them
• Practical exercise: mark a simulated blast pattern in a training area

Day 3: Integration, Quality Control, and Assessment

Objectives:
• Conduct quality checks on marked holes to ensure compliance with standards.
• Coordinate with drill operators and blasting teams to confirm hole readiness.
• Complete documentation and handover procedures.
• Demonstrate competence in marking shot and pilot holes through practical assessment.

Topics:
• Final inspection of marked holes: depth, angle, and cleanliness
• Correcting misaligned or incorrectly placed marks
• Communication with drill operators: hand signals and verbal confirmation
• Documentation: marking sheets, shift reports, and sign-offs
• Handover procedures for next shift or blasting team
• Review of safety incidents and near misses related to marking
• Practical assessment: mark shot and pilot holes in a realistic underground setting
• Feedback session and certification requirements

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
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Mon 07 Sep 2026 Wed 09 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
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Mon 03 Jan 2028 Wed 05 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
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Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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