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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Mining Geology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94847  Bachelor of Science Honours in Mining Geology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification aims to provide quality and focused geological education at a Bachelor of Science Honours level with the aim of improving the personal attributes of learners. It also seeks to create an enabling environment for life-long learning, recognition of prior learning, marketability and employability of learners. Learners from this qualification will be able to respond to developmental needs and challenges of the international, national and regional community in the field of geology.
After completing this qualification, learners will be able to further their studies in to Masters Level and also proceed to register for professional recognition with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

Rationale:
South Africa has vast resources of minerals and natural reserves. It is most important that a cadre of professional, competent and skilled geologists is trained to lead the geology sector within South Africa, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and on an international platform to locate, efficiently mine, process and remediate the sites. There is also an appreciation of the fact that to be competitive in the global markets, the South African mining sector has to cease importing skilled geologists from abroad to come and perform duties that can be done by the properly trained local people. The kind of training that is required must sharpen the skills of the professional geologists by providing them with a specialised knowledge in the field at the post graduate level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
For the purpose of admission into the qualification applying admission criteria other than described above, learners could be assessed as per University of Limpopo RPL Policy and Procedures.
The RPL admission route requires that learners submit portfolio of evidence of the knowledge and skills achieved through non-academic means. The information is assessed in accordance with the receiving faculty's rules and regulations. Learners who meet the criteria are allowed to proceed towards registration.

Entry Requirements:
Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission:
  • A relevant Bachelors' Degree with Geology as a major subject. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 5 modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits
    Modules:
  • Research Project (Geology), 40 Credits.
  • African Geology and Ore deposits Genesis, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Petrology and Petrography, 20 Credits.
  • Mine Mapping and Ore Reserve Calculation, 20 Credits.
  • SHE, Safety, Health and Environment in Mining, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialised knowledge within a particular geological field of interest.
    2. Research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in the at hand.
    3. Make decisions on ethical values and practices within the field of mining geology.
    4. Communicate effectively regarding topics within a field of mining geology.
    5. Make informed decisions on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within the field of mining geology.
    6. Take responsibility for actions taken and decisions made. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Specialised knowledge within a particular geological field of interest is demonstrated.
  • The correct use of terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication is reflected.
  • The critical appraisal of the relationship among concepts and principles of the geological discipline is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in the topics at hand.
  • Explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken is reflected.
  • Various kinds of information resources, such as library, internet, and primary and secondary sources of related to geology can be accessed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Decisions on ethical values and practices within the field of mining geology are made.
  • Ethical implications of various kinds of research are known
  • The impact of the mining activities on the surrounding communities is identified and clearly communicated


    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Communicate effectively regarding topics within a field of mining geology.
  • Own opinions are clearly and coherently expressed.
  • A position systematically using properly substantiated arguments is logically presented and justified.
  • Capability in using different modes of communication (oral and written), discipline- specific conventions and an awareness of audience is shown.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Standard procedures within the specific discipline such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning are applied.
  • Appropriate data is collected and recorded in the appropriate format.
  • Valid conclusions are drawn and appropriately presented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Responsibility for decisions made and actions taken is accepted.
  • The ability to accept personal limitations and willingness to refer problematic issues to specialists is demonstrated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares very well with other similar qualifications from leading world universities. It was compared with qualifications from countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
    The University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom offers a Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Geology and Geotechnics. The qualification provides learners with technical expertise to take part in large scale geological projects such as building tunnels, dams, quarry or mine excavation. The modules covered include: Mineralogy and Petrology, How the Earth Works, Engineering Maths and Natural Hazards.

    In Australia, the University of Adelaide offers a Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Mining. Learners enrolled for the qualification are equipped with practical and theoretical knowledge of the processes to be followed during the extraction and processing of ores and their minerals from the earth. Modules covered include: Introduction to Mining Engineering, Mine Planning, Mining Research, Resource estimation.

    Conclusion:
    The results of the comparability studies conducted reveal that this qualification is on an even Keel quality-wise with some of the best Mining Geology qualifications in the world. When considered from a curriculum point of view i.e. subjects and topics, this qualification compares very well with the qualifications cited above. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is designed to articulate within and across the sub-frameworks of the NQF. It articulates horizontally in to:
  • Bachelor of Earth Sciences Honours in Mining and Environmental Geology at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Geology in Exploration Geochemistry at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honour in Applied Geology in Petroleum Geology at NQF Level 8.

    The qualification articulates vertically in to:
  • Master of Philosophy in Geology at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Applied Geology at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Earth Sciences in Mining at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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 Limpopo 


    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.