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: 

Flux samples in preparation for the fire assay fusion 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9744  Flux samples in preparation for the fire assay fusion 
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 2  NQF Level 02  6 
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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
256626  Flux samples in preparation for the fire assay fusion  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons required to prepare flux and for fluxing samples in preparation for fusion. It will apply to laboratory personnel on a precious metal mine. A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Prepare for fluxing.
  • Flux samples in preparation for fusion. 
    		•

    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:
  • Science, mathematics and communications at ABET Level 4.
  • Unit standard - Proficiency at determining mass on scale and balance.
  • Relevant Health, safety and environmental standards.
    Proficiency in the use of lifting equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    Applicable to the fluxing of material containing any of the precious metals. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Flux samples in preparation for the fire assay fusion. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Prepare for fluxing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Flux samples in preparation for fusion. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for fluxing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Hazards and risks pertaining to the fluxing process are identified and explained with reference to team health and safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are listed and applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The required personal protective equipment is available, operational, fit for purpose and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Work is conducted to meet health, safety and environmental standards and specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health, safety and environmental issues must include:
  • Housekeeping,
  • Waste disposal
  • Storage
  • The control of dust and spillage.
  • Personal Hygiene
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Equipment needed for the process is identified, and is in good working order according to specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Balances
  • Crucibles
  • Mixing equipment
  • Extraction equipment
  • Spatulas
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The sample is visually inspected and verified prior to fluxing in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The flux reagents are correctly identified, verified and selected in accordance with the specified formula requirements. The use of each flux reagent is explained with reference to its primary purpose during the fusion process. The need for different flux formulae is explained in terms of sample composition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The prepared flux meets the formula requirements for the specified process. It is homogenous and a flux test shows that t is free of contaminants and that the button weights are in the specified range. The reasons for checking the prepared flux and performing blank determinations are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The consequences of incorrect measurements and ineffective mixing are explained in terms of the effect on the assay process. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Flux samples in preparation for fusion. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Equipment is used in accordance with specified requirements. The importance of cleanliness is explained with reference to the risk of contamination. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Balance
  • Crucibles
  • Mixing equipment
  • Extraction equipment
  • Spatula
  • Dispenser
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The required personal protective equipment is used in accordance specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The quantity and type of flux used is appropriate for the particular sample type and mass. The mixture of sample and flux is homogenous in appearance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Fluxed samples and controls are sequenced, coded and recorded according to specified requirements. The importance of sequencing in the fluxing process and the use of an identification pattern is explained with reference to maintaining unique sample identification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The purpose of including control samples and replicates is explained in terms of maintaining process and quality control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The work is conducted to meet health, safety, environmental standards and specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health, safety and environmental issues must include:
  • Housekeeping
  • Waste disposal
  • Storage
  • Control of dust and spillage
  • Personal Hygiene
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to personal and team health and safety, impact on the environment, production, quality, costs and lost time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The work is conducted in a manner that ensures continuity throughout the process. 


    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 
  • Explain security procedures and the need for them in the workplace.
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Report writing
  • Health and safety knowledge
  • Legal and site-specific requirements 
    		•

    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 technical problems, sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The candidate is required to maintain the link in the process in order to achieve production, health, safety and environmental targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The candidate is required to prioritise and integrate the various activities in order to meet the set targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to collect and evaluate information from numerical data and/or physical observations in terms of specified requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
  • Note: The candidate is required to accurately and clearly conveys information to relevant personnel. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The candidate is required to use equipment responsibly to avoid environmental pollution and to safeguard team health. 
    		•

    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 candidate is aware of his/her role in the organization in terms of social, economic and environmental impact. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 256626, which is "Flux samples in preparation for the fire assay fusion", Level 2, 6 Credits.

    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. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991)
  • Regulations
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SABS and other Standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` Directives
  • Material Safety Data Sheets

    Site Specific
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice
  • 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  58248   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-08-05  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.