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: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor: Hydrometallurgy)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
99486	Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor: Hydrometallurgy)
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	113	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	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 a Mineral Processor - Hydrometallurgy.

A Mineral Processor - Hydrometallurgy operates, monitors and controls the operational efficiency of a mineral processing plant, physically and from a control room.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Monitor and control the hydrometallurgical processes.

Rationale:
South Africa has been a resource economy for a period in excess of a century. However, a considerable amount of South Africa's mineral resources are exported as raw ores or only partially processed. Although South Africa has steadily improved its ratio of beneficiated to primary products exported since the 1970s, these ratios are still well below the potential suggested by the quality and quantity of its mineral resources endowment.

The Government's industrialisation policy calls for a paradigm shift in mineral development, strategic investment in assets to maximise long-term growth beneficiation projects, enhance value of exports, increase sources for consumption of local content, and create opportunities for sustainable jobs. Minerals are a vital input to an industrialisation programme, which is intended to accelerate manufacturing in South Africa (for local consumption and export). Competitive access to minerals for local beneficiation is one of the key success factors for the country's industrialisation initiative.

Government recently adopted the New Growth Path (NGP), which seeks to create more inclusive economic growth by systematically encouraging more labour absorptive economic activities. The objectives of the NGP are clear and developmental focussed. It set a target of 5 million new jobs by 2020 and identified six priority sectors, focussed on infrastructure and rebuilding the productive sectors of the economy. The NGP identified mineral beneficiation as one of the priority growth nodes for job creation.

The qualification is constructed according to the needs expressed by industry and it will provide portability and career opportunities for Process Controllers working in a number of strategically important mining sectors.

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 Results or certifying a Work Experience Record.

RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:

Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Materials Handling).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

313912003-KM-01, Fundamental Principles of Hydrometallurgy, Level 4, 25 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 25.

Practical Skill Modules:

313912003-PM-01, Monitor and control the physical separation processes, Level 4, 8 Credits.

313912003-PM-02, Monitor and control the hydrometallurgical processes, Level 4, 14 Credits.

313912003-PM-03, Physically monitor the make-up, storage and distribution of reagents, Level 4, 6 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 28.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

313912003-WM-01, Exposure to the full range of mineral processes specific to the operation, Level 4, 60 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 60.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Monitor and control Hydrometallurgy mineral beneficiation processes.
2. Interpret Hydrometallurgy sample results.
3. Identify measuring and monitoring instrumentation on the Hydrometallurgy plant, read and interpret the information and take appropriate corrective action.
4. Identify and deal with potential up-and-down-stream implications and problems of the Hydrometallurgy process.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

All existing and potential deviations from processing requirements are identified and correctly pinpointed, indicating where and how they function in the hydrometallurgical process.

The short-, medium-, and long-term implications and consequences of the identified deviations are described in terms of the standard operating procedures and how these deviations will impact on the up-and-down-stream hydrometallurgical processes.

Appropriate corrective action needed to correct deviations is initiated according to the standard operating procedures and the correct sequence of actions is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

All sampling points are identified on the hydrometallurgical plant and the methods of sampling are correctly described.

The methods and frequency relevant to each of the sampling points are described and meet the requirements as per the standard operating procedures.

The process required for protecting the integrity of the sampling and sample analysis process is described according to leading practices and standard operating procedures required on a hydrometallurgical plant.

Making use of a sampling schedule and a full set of sample results, all deviations from the hydrometallurgical production requirements are accurately identified and the consequences of the identified deviations are described relevant to the up-and-down-stream impact on the hydrometallurgical process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

The location of all measuring instrumentation on the hydrometallurgical plant is accurately indicated on flow charts and plant diagrams.

The description of the purpose of each of the identified instruments is aligned to the manufacturer's specifications and accurately related to the hydrometallurgical beneficiation process.

Interpretations of the readings on the instrumentation are accurate and reflect the actual condition on the plant relevant to the specific stages in the hydrometallurgical process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

All the potential up- and down-stream implications of a full range of incidents/deviations are accurately described.

The potential short-, medium-, and long-term consequences of the identified implications are in line with the risk profile of the plant.

Preventative and contingency actions initiated address the problems and are executed in line with standard operating procedures.

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 relevant 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.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The purpose of the international comparability exercise was to determine the extent to which similar qualifications exist within the international arena. Australia and Canada were used for this purpose.

The Certificate in Resource Processing offered by the Australian Department of Vocational Education reflects the role of employees such as production operators in a mineral processing facility or a coal preparation and treatment plant, who perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

It covers elements from this Occupational Certificate and all the associated specialisations linked to the suite of qualifications. The Australian Vocational Qualifications Authority uses a concept of streams or electives within one single qualification, contrary to the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework Model which only make reference to whole or part qualifications.

The following additional elements in the Australian Certificate are not included in the South African Occupational Certificate:

Operating Licenses for the mobile equipment used in the plant - In the South African situation the Equipment Operators are viewed as separate qualifications.

Learning components relating to Power Plant Process Controllers and Controllers in the Petro- Chemical sector - These Process Controllers will form part of separate qualifications associated with different codes on the Organising Framework for Occupations.

A few components relating to procurement - This work is not done by the Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller.

In Canada, the Mineral Processing Operator Certificate (MPOC) provides recognised industry standards training and leads to "job ready" individuals or readiness to enter into further technical training.

The programme contains similar objectives and content to the Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controllers (Mineral Processing - Hydrometallurgy). The scope and duration of the programme is similar to the knowledge component of the Occupational Certificate but does not include practical skills and work experience.

Conclusion:
The Australian and Canadian Qualifications used in this comparison have certificate programmes that are comparable in terms of content and complexity to this Occupational Certificate. In both cases the need for an entry level certificate is recognised as it provides the fundamental knowledge required to work in a mineral processing environment. The Occupational Certificate contains strong elements of practical skills and work experience and meets the specific requirements of the South African mining environment. In terms of this specialisation it is favourably comparable to the Australian and Canadian Qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal articulation is possible to a number of mining-related qualifications:

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

Further Education and Training Certificate: Diamond Processing, Level 4.

Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis: Mining and Minerals, Level 4.

Occupational Certificate; Melter, Level 4.

Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor - Hydrometallurgy), Level 4.

Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor - Smelting), Level 4.

Vertical articulation is possible to the following qualification:

National Diploma: Extraction Metallurgy, Level 6.

MODERATION OPTIONS

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CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

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NOTES

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LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

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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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