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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Occupational Certificate: Driller (Exploration Driller)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
98823	Occupational Certificate: Driller (Exploration Driller)
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	70	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	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

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Exploration Driller.
An Exploration Driller operates an exploration drilling machine to drill holes for exploration purposes in the mining industry to probe the contents of known ore deposits and potential sites. Operations are primarily in the mining sector. The drilling machines may be for surface or underground use; diamond-core drilling (conventional spindle or hydraulic long-stroke for surface, pneumatic screw-feed or hydraulic long-stroke for underground), or rotary percussion and reverse circulation, top-drive. The qualifying learner will know the functioning and operating requirements for the exploration drilling system and ancillary equipment, including the health, safety and environmental requirements to be able to operate the machine productively and safely.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Operate an exploration drilling machine to drill holes for exploration.

Rationale:
Various industry sectors use drilling machines. In particular, exploration drilling operations are an essential part of the mining sector. South African legislation requires persons to be properly trained and assessed competent before operating machines.

This qualification will train and develop the qualifying learner with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to ensure that an exploration drilling machine is operated effectively and safely. This qualification will also improve the standard of training and assessment, which will lead to better operations and improved safety and will improve mobility of employment. Most learners will already be employed. The career progression for drillers will be to other machine operator specialisations and to occupations in operations, engineering or training.

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:
NQF Level 1 with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.
Operate the exploration drilling system and associated equipment using knowledge of procedures, performance parameters, controls and operating standards.
Work safely, applying the knowledge of procedures, relevant legal and company requirements, hazard identification and risk assessment processes and procedures including environmental and operating conditions.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

711301002-KM-01, Workplace fundamentals, at NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.

711301002-KM-02, Health, safety and the environment, at NQF Level 2, 8 Credits.

711301002-KM-03, Operations and machines, at NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.

711301002-KM-04, Components, controls and consumables, at NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.

711301002-KM-05, Work team supervision, at NQF Level 3, Credits 4 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 27.

Practical Skill Modules:

711301002-PM-01, Work safely and respond to emergencies, at NQF Level 2, 1 Credits.

711301002-PM-02, Carry out pre-operational activities, at NQF Level 2, 5 Credits.

711301002-PM-03, Operate machine, NQF at Level 3, 12 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 18.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

711301002-WM-01, Operational exploration drilling, at NQF Level 3, 25 Credits.
Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 25.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Carry-out start and end-of-shift procedures and checks, using the knowledge of the workplace and the drilling system, associated equipment specifications and operational standards.
2. Operate the exploration drilling system and associated equipment using knowledge of procedures, performance parameters, controls and operating standards.
3. Work safely, applying the knowledge of procedures, relevant legal and company requirements, hazard identification and risk assessment processes and procedures including environmental and operating conditions.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

The start and end-of-shift procedure has been completed correctly.

Operational checks have been carried out according to procedures.

All health, safety and environmental requirements have been met.

An understanding of the purpose of all the checks is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

The correct procedures and sequence of operations are followed.

The machine, associated equipment and accessories are operated within specified limits.

Any defects, damage or deviations are identified and reported and the machine is shut down or isolated in a safe manner.

Changes in environment or conditions are identified and reported - continuous risk assessment.

Man-machine interfaces are controlled safely and effectively.

Production targets are met.

Reports are compiled and completed correctly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

The importance of identifying and responding to various kinds of hazard is explained.

How to respond to emergencies is described and explained.

Legal and procedural compliance with regard to the operation of the machine and working safely is described and explained.

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 Assessment Quality Partner, is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external assessment will cover the following focus areas: - Carry out start and end-of-shift activities - Operate the machine - Work safely. The external assessment will consist of an evaluation of records and questioning, by a registered assessor, using specified assessment criteria requirements.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Exploration Drilling machines are used widely in the mining sector. The countries selected for comparison are Australia and New Zealand.

Reference to Drillers were found in the following qualifications:
Australia:

RII20909 - Certificate II in Drilling Operations.

RII31809 - Certificate III in Drilling Operations.

The certificates contain similar modules, namely, maintain workplace safety, identify and minimise environmental hazards and conduct drilling. The level of complexity is comparable to the NQF Level 2. However, the structure of the certificates is broader than this qualification. The certificate II is applicable to a broad range of driller assistants, whereas the certificate III extends to the South African equivalent of NQF 3 Mining Operations/ Rock breaker, which is the vertical articulation for the Driller. The duration of the individual modules is equivalent to this qualification.

New Zealand:
National Certificate in Extractive Industries (Operations) (Level 3), with strands in Coal Plant, Drilling Surface, Drilling Underground, Maintenance Operations, Metalliferous Processing, Mobile Plant Surface, Processing Plant, Surface Extraction, Underground Extraction, and Water Treatment (Credits 49-82).

National Certificate in Drilling - Non-hydrocarbon (Driller) (Level 3), with optional strands in Environmental/Geotechnical, and Water Well. Credits 90.

National Certificate in Civil Construction Works (Horizontal Directional Drilling), with strands in Driller, Tracker, and Site Supervisor.

The certificates contain similar modules, namely occupational health and safety practice and conduct conventional core drilling/conduct drilling operations. However, as with the Australian certificates, the qualification extends to the South African equivalent of NQF Level 3 Mining Operations/ Rock breaker, which is the vertical articulation for the Driller.

Conclusion:
The content and complexity of the directly applicable components compare closely with this qualification and the conclusion is that the curriculum is comparable to international practice.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification can articulate horizontally to the following qualification currently being developed:

Occupational Certificate: Directional Driller, Level 3.

Vertical Articulation is possible to the following qualification currently under construction:

Occupational Certificate: Miner, Level 4.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for the external summative assessment learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and a signed Statement of Work Experience, including Foundational Learning Competence or equivalent.

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.

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 is: Exploration Driller and 711301002.

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.

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