SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
97750	Bachelor of Science Honours in Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Earth and Space Sciences
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
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 1141/23	2021-07-01	2024-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30		2028-06-30

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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
111167	Bachelor of Science Honours in Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
Upon qualifying the learner will be able to:

Acquire specialised knowledge within a particular Geological field of interest.

Display the ability to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight of the geological field.

Apply appropriate research methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation.

Communicate effectively regarding topics with their field of specialisation.

Demonstrate analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources and applying them to real problems.

Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for actions and decisions made.

The purpose of this qualification is to offer quality and focused geological education at an Honours level so as to improve the personal attributes of learners. Thus ensuring that the learners are recognised, marketable and employable.

The qualification will ensure that there is a cadre of qualified geologists entering into the South African community that will be able to respond to the developmental needs of the national, regional and international communities in the mining geology sector.

Rationale:
South Africa has vast resources of minerals and natural reserves. It is most important that a cadre of professional, competent and skilled geologists are trained to lead the Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation industry within South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and internationally.

The qualification will present qualifying learners with an opportunity to register professionally with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and, as a result, afford them the opportunity to practise professionally as geologists.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Admission into the qualification by learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be obtained through a RPL process in accordance with the University's RPL Policy and Procedures.

Entry Requirements:
Access to the qualification is possible to learners in possession of a relevant Bachelor's Degree with Geology as a major subject.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules:

Research Project (Geology), 40 Credits.

African Geology and Ore Deposit Genesis, 20 Credits.

Advanced Petrology and Petrography, 20 Credits.

Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation, 20 Credits.

Analytical Techniques in Mineralogy, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Acquire specialised knowledge within a particular Geological field of interest.
2. Display the ability to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight of the geological field.
3. Apply appropriate research methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation.
4. Communicate effectively regarding topics with their field of specialisation.
5. Demonstrate analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources and applying them to real problems.
6. Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for actions and decisions made.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

The correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication is reflected upon.

The critical appraisal of the relationship among concepts and principles of the Geological disciplines is presented.

Knowledge to propose solutions to well-structured and practical problems (both concrete and abstract) is applied effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Various kinds of information resources, such as the library, internet, and primary and secondary sources related to Geology are accessed and the ability to discern relevant from irrelevant literature is demonstrated.

The explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of the contexts of different literature is reflected upon.

Relevant information relating to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the context to address specific problems is provided.

Appropriate role players and resources are clearly identified that will contribute to resolve specific problems.

All relevant factors pertaining to the context and performance(s) in different contexts and how they affect the particular work being undertaken are described.

Critical factors impacting on practical problems to be investigated from the perspective of the discipline are identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

The central theme(s) of the essay is identified.

The competing arguments are extracted and explained.

A knowledgeable perspective to the debate is given.

Standard procedures within the specific discipline, such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning are applied.

Appropriate data truthfully and in the appropriate format are collected and recorded.

Materials are analysed and interpreted.

The ethical implications of various kinds of research and be able to act accordingly are understood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Reasoning skills are displayed through the ability to express own opinions clearly and coherently.

A position is justified and presented logically, systematically using properly substantiated arguments.

Good communication skills are demonstrated through the show of an awareness of the audience, the capability in using different modes of communication (oral and written) and discipline - specific conventions, and the use of various techniques and strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

The essay is structured in a manner that shows understanding of the question and the laying out of the subsections of the essay and their linkages with the overall theme.

The topic is operationalised by stating clearly the context in which its basic concepts and assumptions are to be evaluated in the essay.

The subject matter is debated by developing logically coherent arguments as well as citing and discussing illustrative examples.

A conclusion that fills the gap is derived at.

Analyses and interpretations are argued persuasively and valid conclusions are drawn.

A conclusion is drawn that is consistent with the arguments raised in the essay and suggesting possible outcomes of alternative initiatives at addressing the subject matter.

The essay is presented according to appropriate and or recommended word processing and referencing protocol.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Rational decisions are taken and methodologies are used to solve practical problems.

Responsibility for decisions and actions taken is accepted.

Personal limitations are accepted and the ability to refer to specialists in the field where required is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment:
Exit Level Outcomes within the qualification will be integrated across learning and assessments to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments are based on formative assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to candidates and summative assessments will be used to ensure a judgement of learning at Exit Level Outcomes. Such assessments should assess the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Canada:
A university in Columbia offers a BSc Honours Degree in Geological Sciences with four streams, namely: Mineral Deposits; Sedimentary Geology and Geobiology; Crustal and Mantle Processes; and Environmental Geology.

This Honours Degree provides a strong background for those learners wishing to pursue a Masters and or Doctoral Degree. It is designed so that learners complete a significant research project to prepare them suitably for higher degree studies. In addition, the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Geological Sciences meets the requirements for registration with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) as a Professional Geoscientist. Professional Geoscientists include Geologists, Geochemists, Geophysicists, and Environmental Geoscientists. The APEGBC is the regulatory and licensing body for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. The Association is charged with protecting the public interest by setting and maintaining high academic, experience and professional practice standards for all members. As such, to sign off on official reports or documents relating to work in these fields the law requires that professionals be duly and legally registered with the APEGBC.

In Ghana the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mineral Engineering is a 4 -year qualification which can be seen as being equivalent to the 120 credit qualification offered in South Africa. The qualification aims at producing learners who are capable of designing and managing mineral treatment processes to produce valuable metallurgical products and also address the associated environmental issues.

After completing the qualification, learners should be capable of applying science and technology to plan, design, develop, optimise, operate and manage mining and mineral projects anywhere in the world. They will be is trained to carry out professional duties using their knowledge of sound environmental technology with the conscious effort to maximise returns on investment.

Throughout the mining engineering programme, learners will be able to take modules in surface and underground mining, mine planning and design, mineral deposit and ore reserve modelling, mineral processing, mineral economics, principles of economics, mine management, rock mechanics, rock fragmentation, operations research, economic development and planning. These modules require a strong background in probability and statistics, mathematical analysis, technical drawing, physical and structural geology, physical and analytical chemistry and mineralogy and petrology, fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, land surveying, thermodynamics, Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Learners will also prepare a paper on a selected topic and present it in seminar under supervision.

Conclusion:
The similarities of these qualifications are in terms of the modules. The modules are generally similar albeit differently phrased, for example, the South African qualification refers specifically to Ore Deposit Genesis whereas the international qualification refers to Mineral Deposits. Similarly, the local qualification refers to an African Geology and Ore Deposit Genesis module whereas the international offering customises the module to Indian Mineral Deposits. By law, natural scientists in South Africa must register with SACNASP and Professional Geoscientists need to be registered with the APEGBC in order to practise professionally. The only difference in these qualifications is insofar as the credits are concerned. Therefore, the Bachelor of Science Honours in Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation compares favourably with the international qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal articulation is possible with:

Bachelor of Earth Sciences Honours in Mining and Environmental Geology at NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Science Honours in Mining Geology at NQF Level 8.

Vertical articulation is possible with:

Master of Earth Science in Mining and Environmental Geology/Hydrology and Water Resources at NQF Level 9.

Master of Environmental Sciences in Geography. at NQF Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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