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:

Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Miner

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
120057	Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Miner
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Intermediate Occupational Cert	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0812/22	2022-11-22	2027-11-22
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-11-22		2031-11-22

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 function as a Miner.

A Miner takes charge of work teams in a section of workings of a mine and directly supervises, monitors, coordinates, inspects, communicates with, engages with and consults personnel, and records the activities of production operations; effectively and safely; is responsible and accountable for ensuring safety and realising optimum infrastructure, plant, machine and equipment performance, availability and production requirements for a section of workings of a mine; in accordance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.

A qualifying learner will know and be able to oversee, apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures, processes, and procedures, including the waiting-place/ assembly point procedures, entry examination, making the workplace safe and completing the safe declaration;
conduct blasting operations; troubleshoot and address problems critically; work ergonomically; react to events in time-critical environments; and supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Oversee, apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and procedures for mining operations.

Conduct blasting operations.

Supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations.

Troubleshoot; identify and address mining-related problems.

Solve problems in respect of mining operations, ventilation, mining health and safety.

Demonstrate the ability to maintain independent learning and continuous improvement.

Communicate effectively and professionally in respect of technical and practical mine operations.

Rationale:
The Miner's appointment is prescribed and required by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), whereby appointees must be in possession of the appropriate certificate of competency issued by the DMRE.

In terms of mining legislation, Miners who are appointed must be qualified, by virtue of their knowledge, training, skills, and experience, to perform the activities contemplated; and must be trained, assessed, and found competent, in accordance with recognised training and development programmes. There is presently no qualification that trains and prepares learners for skills and competencies requisite for a miner's work.

Typical learners for this qualification will be anyone in possession of an appropriate NQF Level 1 qualification; mine workers with appropriate experience seeking to advance their credentials or careers will also benefit from this qualification. Learners trained towards this qualification will have a choice to choose between its two options of specialisation; these options or specialisations will also allow learners to articulate horizontally with the qualification to diversify their skills.

The typical learning pathway in mining production operations would be to begin with an occupational qualification at NQF Level 1 or 2, proceed to Miner at NQF Level 3, then Shift Supervisor, at NQF Level 4, Mine Overseer at NQF Level 5 and Mine Manager at NQF Level 7.

The work is done in excavations that do not exist naturally but are created through rock breaking and blasting activities. This unique environment holds many hazards and risks for all personnel. The skills required to master the work in this occupation are complex and require dedicated learning, application and specialised and technical skills.

Mining will remain the backbone of the South African economy for many years to come, and 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 mining and minerals sector 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.

Development of the qualification was in consultation with sector practitioners and providers, and through the Minerals Council South Africa, Trade Unions and the DMRE.

This qualification will benefit society in terms of skills and technical competencies since qualifying learners will improve work standards, health and safety, effectiveness, and contribute significantly to the growth of the country's economy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Gain Access Through RPL
Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Exemption from Modules Through RPL
Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external 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.
Entry Requirements:

NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and English.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules

312102-001-00-KM-01, Health, Safety, and the Environment for Mining Operations, Level 2, 12 Credits.

312102-001-00-KM-02, Mining Operations, Level 3, 8 Credits.

312102-001-00-KM-03, Supervision, Level 3, 12 Credits.

312102-001-00-KM-04, Mining Production Operations, Level 3, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 44

Practical Skill Modules

312102-001-00-PM-01, Oversee, Apply, Exercise, and Ensure Safety, Health and Environmental Measures, Processes and Procedures, Mining Operations, Level 3, 16 Credits.

312102-001-00-PM-02, Conduct Blasting Operations, Level 3, 40 Credits.

312102-001-00-PM-03, Supervise and Complete Mining Production Operations, Level 3, 40 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 96

Work Experience Modules

312102-001-00-WM-01, Underground Hardrock Blasting Operations, Level 3, 20 Credits.

312102-001-00-WM-02, Underground Hardrock Production Operations, Level 3, 20 Credits.

312102-001-00-WM-03, Underground Coal Blasting Operations, Level 3, 20 Credits.

312102-001-00-WM-04, Underground Coal Production Operations, Level 3, 20 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 40

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Oversee, apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and procedures.
2. Conduct blasting operations.
3. Supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations.
4. Troubleshoot.
5. Communicate effectively.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply knowledge and understanding of problem solving, occupational health, safety and the environmental requirements, geology, ground and strata control, support, hazard identification and risk assessment, examining and making safe, and statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Complete pre-, start-, and end-of-shift process and procedure, and associated reporting in accordance with requirements.

Apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and responsibilities in accordance with requirements

Deal with ground/ rock strata conditions in accordance with requirements.

Complete waiting-place/assembly point procedures, entry examinations and safe declarations in accordance with requirements

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply integrated knowledge and understanding of problem solving, occupational health, safety and the environmental requirements, geology, ground and strata control, support, hazard identification and risk assessment, examining and making safe, mining technology, environmental control/ ventilation, rock/ geotechnical engineering, explosives and blasting, production management, and statutory, regulatory, and organisational compliance.

Complete pre-, start-, and end-of-shift process and procedure, and associated reporting, in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Apply, exercise and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and responsibilities in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Exercise and ensure control over explosives in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Conduct blasting, in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Complete pre-, start-, and end-of-shift process and procedure, and associated reporting in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and responsibilities in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Analyse and solve problems in accordance with requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Communicate fluently in accordance with requirements.

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 together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant 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.

The assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP within a period of 1 day.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Miner was compared with qualifications from Australia and New Zealand.

Australia:
The qualification is RII30311 - Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining, with nominal duration of two years; is offered by: CEG - Training Partnerships; TME Trade Training; Advanced Mine Performance Training Services Pty Ltd; and the Australian College of Mining.

It includes modules such as:
Support and operational plans; promotion of innovations in a team environment; issuing work permits; run on-site operations; monitoring of site production activities; managing non-routine, complex technical situations; conducting underground development shot-firing; conducting underground production shot-firing; conducting secondary blasting; accretion firing; communicating workplace information; apply environmentally sustainable work practices; escape from hazardous situation unaided; provide aided rescue to endangered personnel; respond to local emergencies and incidents; assess ground conditions; conduct safety and health investigations; maintain and monitor site quality standards; application of risk management processes and procedures; and responses to workplace incidents.

The other qualification is: RII30212 - Certificate III in Underground Coal Mining.
It includes units of competency such as conducting shot-firing operations in underground coal mines; communication; Assessing and monitoring atmospheric conditions; conducting fire team operations; escaping hazardous situation unaided; providing aid and rescue to endangered personnel; applying initial response first aid; responding to mine incidents; responding to local emergencies and incidents; operating in self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus; controlling emergencies and critical situations; controlling underground fires; conducting underground search; extricate casualties from underground incidents; extricate and transport people involved in incidents; establishing and operating from fresh air base; providing support for rescue; complying with site work processes/procedures; conducting slewing crane operations; conducting basic strata control operations; conducting roadway maintenance; face ventilation operations; specialised strata control operations; ventilation devices; continuous miner operations; long-wall face equipment operations; installing and recovery of long-wall equipment; breaker line supports; flexible conveyor train operations; control processes; spontaneous combustion management measures; air drilling; conduct surface directional drilling; conduct safety and health investigations; provide deck support for conveyor-car high wall mining operations; conveyor-car high wall mining operations; risk management processes; installing, commissioning and maintaining major conveyor equipment and systems; and responding to a workforce incidents.

New Zealand
New Zealand offers a qualification: Number 2786 New Zealand Certificate in Underground Mining (Level 3) with 95 Credits. This course is offered by MITO New Zealand Incorporated.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to: Apply knowledge of mine safety systems and the underground environment to participate in risk assessment and health, safety and environmental procedures, and work safely in an underground mining site; Apply knowledge of underground mining processes, strata/ground control, and installation of services to safely complete underground mining workplace tasks as directed; safely and productively operate mobile plant, machinery, and/or equipment used in underground mining and tunnelling; adapt to change, communicate and work effectively as part of a team within an underground mining workplace.

Entry requirement to this qualification is the foundation New Zealand Certificate in Mining and Quarrying (Level 2), 40 credits. This means that in total, this New Zealand qualification has 135 credits.

Similarities
The similarities between the New Zealand certificates and South Africa's occupation certificate are the contents and the exit-level competencies, especially with regards to mining operations; ventilation; health and safety; and environmental conservation.

Differences
The differences are in terms of the terminologies in respect of the qualifications and the occupations they lead to. Also, in South Africa, the Miner takes charge of a team and supervises production operations, and New Zealand has two qualifications, one at level 2 and the next at level 3 both bearing a total of 135 credits, while the South Africa's one has slightly more credits. Another difference is that the New Zealand qualifications includes knowledge and skills/practical, but not work experience, which results in more credits in the South African qualification.

Conclusion:
Based on the comparisons above of the programmes available and competencies required in Australia and New Zealand; the conclusion is that the Miner occupational certificate can be considered comparable and potentially equivalent to these two countries' certificates.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician Mine Ventilation Observer, NQF Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Raise Bore Operator, NQF Level 3.

Vertical Articulation:

Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining Operations, NQF Level 4.

Occupational Certificate: Shift Overseer, NQF Level 4 (Part of Pack).

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes where applicable.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
Physical requirements:
Meet legal, health and medical requirements.

Legal requirements:
Meet all organisation and legal requirements to enter the training programme.

To be appointed as a Miner on a mine, the holder of this qualification would have to meet requirements of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.
The curriculum title and code are: Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Miner 312102-001-00-00.

Encompassed Trades:
This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner:
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA).

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