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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Earth Science Practice and Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
12161  Postgraduate Diploma: Earth Science Practice and Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Earth and Space Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  160  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  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 
This multidisciplinary whole qualification equips earth science Honours graduates with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in economic geology combined with project management. It is suited for earth science students who wish to further their careers in the minerals industry as business entrepreneurs rather as specialist geoscientists.

The first purpose is to provide the learner with the theoretical knowledge to plan and manage, individually or in team context (depending on the complexity), exploration, mining and other minerals business projects conforming to the financial and technical requirements of the industry, and legal framework of the relevant country in which the project is undertaken.

The second purpose is to provide qualified manpower that possesses basic knowledge in earth materials and processes, as well as a sound understanding of project management, to operate in the grey field between business and minerals science and so fill a defined niche in the minerals business environment.

The third purpose is to provide manpower with entrepreneurial skills to initiate or participate in small and medium-sized business in South Africa and the region.

The fourth purpose is to prepare the qualifier for direct access to the degree M Sc (Earth Science Practice and Management) 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matriculation certificate
First degree:
Honours degree: B Sc Hons Geology or equivalent four-year degree. Students should have a working knowledge of minerals and mineral deposits.
Other:
Any other qualification deemed by the Senate of the University of Pretoria, in terms of the provisions of Gen. Reg. G. 62, to be equivalent 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Postgraduate Diploma (Earth Science Practice and Management)

Learning outcomes:
Knowledge:
  • Basic principles of ore deposits
  • Fundamentals of mineral evaluation
  • Fundamentals of project management
  • Supportive knowledge of mining, metallurgy, transport logistics, mining law, environmental management, negotiation

    Skills:
  • Project management
  • Evaluation of mineral deposits
  • Negotiation
  • Multidisciplinary research
  • Identification of new business opportunities

    Values:
  • Appreciates the interaction of science and business
  • Appreciates need for environmental care in minerals business and mining
  • Understands legal overtones in minerals business

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    The graduate is able to
  • demonstrate and apply critical thinking and decision making
  • understand the interaction of basic science and business
  • plan and execute strategies to investigate business opportunities
  • work effectively individually or in team context in business organisations
  • organise self and investigations responsibly and effectively
  • understand the minerals business as a factor in the national and regional economies
  • do effective reporting and writing skills 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Theoretical and practical assignments (formative)
  • Seminars (formative)
  • Written examinations (summative)

    The candidate should be able
  • to identify potential economic mineral deposits or mineral business opportunities
  • plan and execute strategies to evaluate potential economic mineral deposits within the context of environment, geology, legal framework and geographical position

    Integrated assessment:
    Simulations
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Written assignments on theoretical and practical aspects of the course
    Seminars 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    M Sc Earth Science Practice and Management

    M Sc Earth Science Practice and Management serves as an entry point to the related qualifications

    M Sc Earth Science Practice and Management provides credits for the related qualifications 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal examiners from Department
    External examiners from private industry 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    Minimum requirements: M Sc with specialisation in economic geology of Project Management or related fields
    Preferred requirements: Ph D with specialisation in economic geology or Project Management or related fields

    Career experience required:
    Extended working experience (+-5 years) in economic geology or mineral deposit evaluation or project management or related fields

    Other criteria:
    Academic teaching experience advantageous 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. University of Pretoria 


    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.