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:

Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Supervisor

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
102162	Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Supervisor
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	661	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2018-07-01	2025-12-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30		2029-12-30

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 Mine Environmental Control Supervisor.

A Mine Environmental Control Supervisor must meet the requirements to be legally appointed in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act and are required to anticipate, recognise, evaluate and control the mine occupational environmental conditions for a designated area of a mine that may cause adverse health effects or pose a safety risk to persons or damage to property, a suitable qualified learner will be able to:

Anticipate, recognise, evaluate and control all occupational hygiene stressors for the designated area.

Design, plan and implement strategies for the provision of a safe and healthy occupational environment in a designated area of a mine.

Continually determine all mine environmental control hazards and risks and implement actions to mitigate the risks.

Ensure total compliance with all mine environmental control regulatory requirements.

Manage the resources of a mine environmental control department.

Rationale:
The underground Mining Environment is a unique working environment. Employees are expected to execute a range of cognitive and physical tasks, operate heavy and sometimes complex equipment within confined spaces in the absence of natural airflow.

The work is done within rock chambers and haulages that do not exist naturally, but created through rock breaking and blasting activities. This unique environment holds many hazards and risks for the employees. These risks includes, but not limited to rock falls, lack of clean air, pollution of the environment from the equipment, noise stressors, poor illumination and natural occurring gases.

Over the years the industry has developed sophisticated practices, systems to manage these hazards and risks and to create a safe and healthy occupational environment wherein mine employees can do their work. The regulators enforce strict laws to govern the control of this unique environment.

In terms of these laws and regulations as per the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act no. 2 of 1996), every mine in the country is required to employ a group of technical and professional employees that will manage and control the occupational mining environment.

These highly technical and professional persons must identify the hazards to health and safety, assess the risks to health and safety, record the hazards and risks, eliminate, control and minimise all hazards and risks. A person with this qualification will typically be appointed as a Mine Environmental Control Supervisor.

The Mine Environmental Control supervisors design and develop comprehensive mine ventilation engineering systems and programmes, manage the ventilation engineering functions of a mine ensuring the creation, maintenance and improvement of a healthy, save and productive working environment.

Furthermore, Mine Environmental Control Supervisors provide strategic direction and policies regarding all mine ventilation engineering aspects, design complex and comprehensive mine ventilation, refrigeration systems and programmes for existing and new mining ventures. Mine Environmental Control supervisors contributes to the research and development of new technology and leading practices.

This Occupation Carries a legal appointment and therefore requires a nationally recognised programme or qualification. The skills required to master the work in this occupation is complex and requires dedicated learning and application. This qualification builds on the skills and knowledge mastered in the previous qualification, viz the Mine Ventilation Officer which serves as the entry requirement into this qualification.

This qualification focuses on four key areas:
Ventilation Engineering: which includes the mechanical engineering principles used to create airflow in underground workings and the principles and dynamics of refrigeration as applied in underground mining. The South African mines operate at an ever deeper level these technologies develop fast and increase in complexity levels. Mastery of this also enables articulation into Mining and Mechanical engineering studies within the Occupational qualifications sub framework and into Higher Education Sub framework.

Occupational Hygiene: this covers the occupational environmental stressors within a mining environment and includes noise, illumination, pollutants, gas emissions, heat, fatigue etc. This knowledge allows articulation to qualifications in Occupational Hygiene. However here it is very specific to the mining environment.

Emergency preparedness which forms a core part of the qualification and specifically emphasizes the availability and use of escape routes, dealing with underground fires, use of self-rescue equipment etcetera.

Management and compliance which focus here is on managing the availability of the required occupational environmental data and the enforcement of compliance. This is done through small teams of qualified observers and practitioners and direct contact with employees and line managers.

The mining industry will remain the backbone of the South African economy for many years to come, in fact, with the advance of technology there will, in the coming decades, be opportunities to return to and access the minerals left behind in the older mines, the industry will also be able to access resources that are currently too deep to mine. The development of the occupational competence as set out in this qualification is essential to capitalise on these technological advances and is directly aligned to the South African National Development strategy.

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 Requirements:

Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician (Mine Ventilation Officer) Level 4, SAQA QUAL ID: 98932.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

312101000-KM-01, Fluid Dynamics, Level 7, 39 Credits.

312101000-KM-02, Thermal Engineering, Level 7, 80 Credits.

312101000-KM-03, Operations Management and Supervision, Level 6, 72 Credits.

312101000-KM-04, Mine Ventilation and Occupational Environmental Engineering, Level 6, 56 Credits.

312101000-KM-05, Occupational Health and Hygiene, Level 5, 72 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 319.

Practical Skill Modules:

312101000-PM-01, Anticipate all hazards and risks associated with occupational hygiene stressors that may be present in an existing or new mining operations, Level 5, 36 Credits.

312101000-PM-02, Confirm by measurement, observation and experience the presence of occupational hygiene and other hazards and risks, Level 5, 12 Credits.

312101000-PM-03, Evaluate to determine the degree of the occupational hygiene and other hazards and risks, Level 6, 20 Credits.

312101000-PM-04, Manage or control occupational hygiene stressors in order to safeguard occupational health, Level 6, 16 Credits.

312101000-PM-05, Prepare and submit routine, short - medium and long-term mine environmental control plans Including impacts of occupational hygiene stressors, ventilation, refrigeration, Level 6, 16 Credits.

312101000-PM-06, Develop and ensure implementation and alignment of applicable codes of practices, guidelines and leading practices relating to mine environmental control, Level 6, 8 Credits.

312101000-PM-07, Determine the sufficiency of current monitoring practices and systems, Level 7, 6 Credits.

312101000-PM-08, Manage and coordinate the financial activities of the department, Level 7, 12 Credits.

312101000-PM-09, Manage the operations of an environmental control function for a mine or designated area of a mine, Level 7, 8 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 134.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

312101000-WM-01, Anticipate, recognise, evaluate and control all occupational hygiene stressors for the designated area on an underground mine Level 5, 48 Credits.

312101000-WM-02, Anticipate, recognise, evaluate and control all occupational hygiene stressors for the designated area within a mineral processing plant, Level 6, 32 Credits.

312101000-WM-03, Mine Radiation Protection Officer, Level 5, 16 Credits.

312101000-WM-04, Mine Ventilation Practices, Level 6, 48 Credits.

312101000-WM-05, Act as a legally appointed Mine Environmental Control supervisor, Level 7, 64 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 208.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Design, plan and implement strategies for the provision of a safe and healthy occupational environment in a designated area of a mine.
2. Continually determine all mine environmental control hazards and risks and implement actions to mitigate the risks.
3. Ensure total compliance with all mine environmental control regulatory requirements.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

All mine ventilation and cooling needs will be correctly identified for a full range of mining operations covering hard rock, diamond and coal mining operations.

All the required calculations relating to the design and implementation of mine ventilation control systems will be accurately executed using appropriate sets of data and indicating the significance of each of the calculations.

All mine ventilation risks for a full range of mining operations will be evaluated and classified in terms of the internationally accepted risk management standards.

Existing controls in various mining operations to monitor and control the performance of mine ventilation systems will be evaluated in terms of their relevance and adequacy for the given situations.

The intended implementation of new controls for monitoring the performance of mine ventilation systems will be described and appropriate recommendations will be made to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed controls.

Mine escape and rescue strategies, plans and processes will be critically analysed and relevant improvements will be recommended and found to be feasible, cost efficient and appropriate to enhance and optimise safety and health of mine employees.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Occupational environmental control incidents will be investigated per the legal requirements and international leading practices.

Processes to continuously manage enterprise wide occupational environmental control risks and hazards will be accurately designed, implemented and evaluated.

Occupational environmental control incidents will be investigated per the legal requirements and international leading practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

All regulatory requirements relevant to the management of the mine occupational environment will be identified accurately for a full range of mining operations.

The implementation of selected regulatory requirements will be evaluated and all deviations from standard identified indicating the consequences and possible preventative actions.

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 (QCTO) 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

The need for and challenges of ventilating mining operations started when mining started. Evidence of the application of the fundamental principles of ventilation has been found in the remnants of the mining operations in Europe, China and Africa dating back to 1200 BC.

The science of Mine Ventilation was slowly developed with the expanding coal mines during the Industrial Revolution.

All countries where mining takes place require the services of people who are schooled in the science of creating an occupational environment within the mining operations where people can survive and work.

Due to the deep level mining that was pioneered in South Africa, the country became a leader in developing the science of Mine Ventilation. Currently training in the discipline of Mine Ventilation can be found in most countries where mining is practiced. However, it is mostly included as a specialisation area within the generic mining Engineering qualifications.

Comparison was done of the qualifications and learning programmes provided in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The South African mining industry education and training system differs from those in the international arena in the sense that the mining operations internationally are, in most cases, highly mechanised and make use of a higher level of knowledge workers than in the South African industry. This results in the creation of high level Mining Engineering qualifications for a range of technical occupations. For occupations below these mining professionals on job training is provided without necessarily having a national certification. The mining engineering qualifications covers the spectrum of mining disciplines and specialisation takes place at Postgraduate level.

The Occupation of Mine Environmental Control Supervisor will, internationally, be viewed as a mining professional and the training for such occupations will require a Degree in Mining Engineering, specialising in mine ventilation and - or occupational health and hygiene.

Australia
In Australia, several universities and colleges present programmes in Mining Engineering.

For example, amongst others Curtin University of Technology, University of New South Wales and Federation University Australia present Bachelor of Science (Mining) degree programmes. These programmes cover the generic mining engineering courses and include Mine Ventilation and Mining Occupational Health and Hygiene. These programmes are similar in level and duration to the South African Occupational Certificate; however, they cover a more generic mining engineering syllabus. The entry requirements for the Australian qualifications differ from the South African Occupational Certificate. In the case of the Australian qualifications entrants are taken out of the schooling system. The South African qualification requires the completion of an Occupational Certificate at Level 4 specialising in Mine Ventilation. This ensures that the entrants into the South African qualification already have at least three to four years' experience in the industry and have gained exposure to a lot of the generic mining engineering practices and principles, therefore enabling the new qualification to specialise in the field of Mine Ventilation and Occupational Health.

United Kingdom:
The science of Mine Ventilation was first published within the United Kingdom. It was built up out of the work done in the coal mining industry; Germany also developed this science at an early stage. Currently education in the United Kingdom, specifically at the Royal School of Mines, which is still internationally recognised for its excellence in training mining engineers, conducts a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Mining Engineering programme. Once again, as is the case in Australia the content of the programme focus on the full spectrum of mining engineering including Mine Ventilation and Mine Occupational health. The duration and level of this programme is similar the South African Occupational Certificate.

Conclusion:
Differences in training in South Africa are created through the need to comply with South African legislative requirements and specialisation in ventilation. The contents of the curriculum of the South African Occupational Certificate: Mine Occupational Environmental Control Supervisor compares favourably with the international qualifications in terms of level and duration. As far as content is concerned, the South African qualification is specialised in the field of Mine Ventilation and Mine Occupational Health. The entry requirement for the South African Qualification requires at least three to four years' experience in the field as well as completion of two legally required Occupational certificates. The international qualifications also include some work experience but the South African qualification contains an extensive exposure to the work environment across the various mining environments (Hard rock, Diamond Mining and Coal mining). The South African qualification is therefore contextualised in terms of structure and specialised content.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher Diploma: Mechanical Engineering, Level 7, SAQA QUAL, ID: 21126.

Vertical articulation:

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Level 7, SAQA QUAL, ID: 90666.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

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

This qualification is at Level 7. FLC is not a requirement.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
None.

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

The curriculum title and code is: Mine Environmental Control Supervisor: 312101000.

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

This is not a trade.

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.

NONE