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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the South African mining and mineral sector processes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243784  Demonstrate an understanding of the South African mining and mineral sector processes 
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 1  NQF Level 01  5 
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 is for current employees and new entrants in the mining and minerals sector by giving them an overview of the main processes in the mining industry.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Identify and describe the mining phases and their inter-relationships within the mining and minerals sector.
  • Identify and describe the sub-processes in the operational phase.
  • Identify and describe the support services required for the identified mining phases.

    This unit standard is intended to promote understanding of the mining processes. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Numeracy and language literacy at ABET Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Sub-processes must include:
  • Ore extraction.
  • Logistics.
  • Ore processing. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and describe the mining phases and their impact on each other. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The phases involved in the mining industry are identified and described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The phases must include:
  • Investigative phase.
  • Mine establishment phase (mine design, construction & commissioning).
  • Operational phase.
  • Decommissioning phase.
  • Aftercare and mine closure.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of each phase is described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of the phases on each other is described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the sub-processes of the process decomposition model's operational phase. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sub-process are identified and described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The sub-processes must include:
  • Ore Extraction.
  • Logistics.
  • Ore Processing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of the sub-processes is described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of specified legal requirements on the sub-process within the operational phase is explained as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and describe the support services required for the phases. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Support Services must include:
  • Planning and Design.
  • Survey Mapping and Mine Planning.
  • Engineering.
  • Strata Control/Rock Engineering.
  • Quality control and evaluation.
  • Human Resources.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.
  • Occupational Hygiene/Control.
  • Exploration and Mining Geology.
  • Asset Protection.
  • Financial. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The support services in the mining industry are identified and described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of each support service is described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The inter-relationship between the support services and the phases is described as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Specified legal requirements that impact on support services are explained as per the South African mining and minerals process decomposition model. 


    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 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.
  • 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 items reflect the type of knowledge that the assessor will evaluate:

    Knowledge and understanding of the mining phases and their inter-relationships within the mining and minerals sector:
  • Description of the five phases as per the South African Mining and Minerals Process Decomposition Model.
  • The purpose of each phase.
  • The inter-relationship between each phase.

    Importance of the sub-processes in the operational phase is described:
  • Ore extraction.
  • Logistics.
  • Ore processing.

    Knowledge and understanding of the importance of the support services:
  • Planning and Design.
  • Survey Mapping and mine plans.
  • Engineering.
  • Strata Control/Rock Engineering.
  • Quality control and evaluation.
  • Human Resources.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.
  • Occupational Hygiene and Control.
  • Exploration and Mining Geology.
  • Asset Protection.
  • Financial. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • The recording of anomalous conditions and the reporting thereof in the correct format will indicate the candidate's efficiency in the mode of written presentations. The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazardous and sub-standard conditions will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58267   General Education and Training Certificate: Mining and Minerals Processes  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  59689   National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. ALLOYS HEAD OFFICE 
    3. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    4. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    5. BANA BA THARI MINING TRANING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    6. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    7. ERGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY NPC 
    8. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    9. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    10. GLENCORE OPERATIONS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 
    11. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    12. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    13. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    14. Kumba Sishen HRD Centre 
    15. LYNAZY RESOURCES 
    16. Majuba FET College - Central Office 
    17. MARULA PLATINUM PTY LTD 
    18. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    19. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    20. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    21. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    22. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    23. PPC Ltd 
    24. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    25. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    26. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    27. SIBANYE RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES PTY LTD 
    28. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    29. TWO RIVERS PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 


    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.