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:

Occupational Certificate: Underground Coal Continuous Miner

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
102003	Occupational Certificate: Underground Coal Continuous Miner
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Fabrication and Extraction
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	110	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Continuous Miner Operator: Underground Coal.

A Continuous Miner Operator: Underground Coal operates a continuous miner to win coal in underground coal mines.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Comply with standard operating procedures required of equipment operators.

Operate a continuous miner to win coal.

Rationale:
The interpretation of the occupation Mining Operator refers to operators working in underground coal mines where they have to operate a range of equipment specifically designated for executing specialised mining operations in underground coal mines. These operations include:

Installation of support units using a Roof Bolter.

Drilling of blast and service holes using a Drill Rig.

Operating a Coal Cutter to facilitate the winning of coal.

Operating a Continuous Miner to win coal.

Operating a multiple arm coal loader to load coal.

Operating coal hauling equipment to haul and discharge coal.

In terms of the Mines Health and Safety act employees operating the equipment described above must be found competent against standards approved by the Mining Qualifications Authority.

Operators are then licensed to operate the equipment by the respective mines. The licenses must be periodically renewed and will expire if the person does not operate the equipment for a prescribed period of time.

Each of the above mentioned specialisation areas require a separate qualification (Occupational Certificate). It does not often happen that one person will operate all the equipment and it is not practical or feasible to expect that a learner must master the skills required for operating all the equipment before they obtain the qualification.

The underground coal mining environment is also significantly different from the hard rock environments and the knowledge and skills required to operate in a coal mine is significantly different from operators in hard rock mines.

This qualification is one of a series of six qualifications for Mining Operators in underground coal mines. The qualifications are structured to ensure that they meet the legal requirements for competency and will enable individual mines to then, based on the required work exposure, issue and maintain the legally required operator license.

The qualifications will provide a national standard and it will facilitate mobility and open up possible career opportunities. This is specifically needed where mines open in areas outside of the traditional mining areas and where the social and labour plans that are a requirement for the relevant mining licenses, expect mines to train and employ local labour.

This qualification will provide a possible career path for Mining Support Workers. With this qualification employees will be able to progress to Production Operations Supervision occupations and it will enable employees to articulate to the relevant occupational qualifications for those occupations.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirement:

Level 2 with Mathematical literacy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

711101004-KM-01, Standard Operating Procedures for Mining Operators, Level 2, 13 Credits.

711101004-KM-02, Continuous Mining, Level 3, 9 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 22.

Practical Skill Modules:

711101004-PM-01, Complete Start of shift Procedures, Level 2, 4 Credits.

711101004-PM-02, Participate in conducting inspections and examinations of the environment, Level 2, 9 Credits.

711101004-PM-03, Conduct pre-use inspections of the equipment, Level 2, 4 Credits.

711101004-PM-04, Complete end of shift procedures, Level 2, 2 Credits.

711101004-PM-05, Operate continuous mining equipment in coal mines, Level 3, 18 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 37.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

711101004-WM-01, Complete the mine induction, Level 2, 4 Credits.

711101004-WM-02, Exposure to the full range of continuous mining operations on the specific mine, Level 3, 47 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 51.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Identify and take appropriate corrective actions related to unsafe strata conditions when operating a continuous miner in an underground coal mine.
2. Identify hazardous occupational environmental elements that could impact negatively on the work of a Continuous Miner Operator: Underground Coal in an underground coal mine and take the appropriate actions to resolve the issues.
4. Identify the hazards associated with the man/machine and machine/machine interfaces when operating a continuous miner in an underground coal mine.
5. Describe the principles and processes of the lock out procedures for equipment in an underground coal mine.
6. Describe the actions required to deal with changing conditions in the work environment whilst operating a continuous miner in an underground coal mine.
7. Identify all the major components on a continuous miner, describe the function of these components and indicate how a pre-use check will be done.
8. Describe the processes for preparing and executing the key tasks associated with the continuous miner (include work experience activities).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

All geological anomalies in a given work environment typical to that within which the operator will normally work are identified and the consequences of these anomalies on the work of an equipment operator are accurately described according to the generally accepted strata control standards for underground coal mines.

The required primary and secondary support requirements for the given work areas are identified accurately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Descriptions of how, where and when to test for flammable/noxious gas are accurate according to the standard operating procedures for the specific mine.

All actions that must be taking when gas is encountered are correctly identified and prioritised.

Descriptions of the actions to be taken to minimise/eliminate dust during the various operations are accurate according to the mine specific standard operating procedures and codes of conduct.

Explanations of the steps to be taken when ventilation diminishes, stops or reverses are accurate and list the steps in the correct sequences as per the mine specific standards.

Explanations of the purpose and application of non-combustible matter in a work environment are accurate and aligned to the generally accepted descriptions and standards associated with underground coal mining. (Stone dust).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Explanations of the purpose and process of risk assessment are accurate and contain realistic and feasible practical examples of hazards, risks and controls associated with the range of operating activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

The correct safe positions of people related to the machine during the various operations are correctly identified according to the generally accepted standards for safety in underground coal mines.

Descriptions of the role of the various safety devices relevant to the man/machine interface are accurate according to the manufacturers specifications.

Descriptions of the risks and consequences of the machine/machine interfaces are clear and contain practical and relevant examples of the responsibilities of the operator to ensure the safe operations of multiple machines in a work environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Explanations of why lock out procedures are used and the responsibilities of the operator are accurately explained in line with the mine specific operating procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Descriptions of how an operator will identify changes in the operation of a machine, physical work conditions or other aspects in the work area are accurate according to the mine specific operating procedures.

Descriptions of how the various changes could impact on the operations are clear and contain practical and relevant examples of how an operator must respond to changing conditions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

All the major equipment components for the specific equipment are accurately identified according to the manufacturers specifications and the explanations of where, how and why the components must be inspected are correct according to the manufacturers requirements.

All actions that must be taken if defects are found in pre use inspections are accurate according to the mine specific operating procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Descriptions of the generic operating procedures for each of the work activities that the machine is designed for is accurate according to the mine specific operating procedures.

The optimum capabilities of the machine under normal conditions are accurately identified for the various operating tasks that the machines are designed for according to the OEM manual.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

A review was done of qualifications and training practices in the USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and relevant mining countries in Africa and South America and Europe. The common international practice is to train equipment operators on the job.

Where there are official qualifications they present themselves in the form of apprenticeship programmes where the learners gain the competencies to not only operate the equipment but also to maintain the equipment or to perform the related mining activities like blasting. An example of this is the Heavy Equipment Operator Trade Programme presented by the Heavy Equipment Operator Trade School in Orlando, Florida. This programme is conducted over four years. The curriculum covers safe and efficient work practices and heavy equipment maintenance, and students are exposed to a combination of classroom training and on-the-job experience. Students who complete the apprenticeship program advance to journeymen status.

These qualifications are unique to the South African context where the work of the Operator is specifically limited to a designated set of mining operations within a specified environment. The emphasis of the qualifications is on safe work practices. Learners will gain a basic understanding of the mechanical and electrical operation of the equipment but they will not be expected to do any maintenance on the equipment. The mining operations that they execute is strictly monitored and limited to the work tasks as set out in the curriculum.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal articulation is possible to:

National Certificate: Fabrication and Extraction, Level 3, (ID: 22427).

National Certificate: Lamproom Operations, Level 3, (ID: 78323).

National Certificate: Mining Technical Support, Level 3, (ID: 65549).

National Certificate: N3 Coal Mining, Level 3, (ID: 67470).

Vertical articulation is possible to:

Occupational Certificate: Strata Control Practitioner (Underground Coal) - In the process of registration.

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for the external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience including the Foundational Learning Competence.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
Learners must meet the occupational health requirements for working in an underground coal mine.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations website.

The curriculum title and code is: Underground Coal Continuous Miner Operator: 711101004.

This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

This is not a trade qualification.

Part Qualifications:

None.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

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.

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