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: Smelting)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
99506	Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor: Smelting)
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	100	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 Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor - Smelting).

A Mineral Processor: Smelting, monitors and controls the hot processes for beneficiating mineral ore, Ferro-manganese (FeMn) and FerroChrome (FeCr).

A qualified learner will be able to:

Monitor and control the pyro-metallurgical processes in a mineral beneficiation smelting operation.

Rationale:
This qualification is in direct support of the national mineral beneficiation strategy and is constructed according to the needs expressed by industry. It will provide portability and career opportunities for Process Controllers working in a number of strategically important mining sectors.

Smelting is a form of extractive metallurgy; its main use is to produce a base metal from its ore. This includes production of silver, iron, copper and other base metals from their ores. Smelting makes use of heat and a chemical reducing agent to decompose the ore, driving off other elements as gasses or slag and leaving just the metal base behind. The reducing agent is commonly a source of carbon, such as coke or charcoal. The carbon (or carbon monoxide derived from it) removes oxygen from the ore, leaving behind the elemental metal. The carbon is thus oxidised in two stages, producing first carbon monoxide and then carbon dioxide. As most ores are impure, it is often necessary to use flux, such as limestone, to remove the accompanying rock gangue as slag.

Learners who enter this qualification will be well versed in all the Occupational Health and Safety issues; they will have experience of working with process control equipment; and they will have been exposed to the operating dynamics of material handling equipment.

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) Level 4.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

313912004-KM-01, Plant Management, Level 4, 14 Credits.

313912004-KM-02, Pyro-metallurgy, Level 4, 10 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 24.

Practical Skill Modules:

313912004-PM-01, Monitoring and controlling the pre-heating and drying processes, Level 4, 16 Credits.

313912004-PM-02, Monitoring and controlling the hot processes, Level 4, 12 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 28.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

313912004-WM-01, Exposure to the full range of hot processes and equipment used on the specific site, Level 4, 48 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 48.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

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

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

All existing and potential deviations from processing requirements are identified and correctly pinpointed.

The short, medium, and long-term implications and consequences of the identified deviations are described in terms of the standard operating procedures.

Appropriate corrective action needed to correct deviations is initiated according to the standard operating procedures.

Associated Assessment for Criteria Exit Level Outcome 2:

All sampling points are identified.

Descriptions of the methods and frequency relevant to each of the sampling points meet the requirements of the standard operating procedures.

The process required to protect the integrity of the sampling and sample analysis process is described according to leading practices and standard operating procedures.

Making use of a sampling schedule and a full set of sample results, all deviations from the production requirements are accurately identified.

Associated Assessment for Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3:

The location of the instrumentation on the 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.

Interpretations of the readings on the instrumentation are accurate and reflect the actual condition on the plant.

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 where we work with 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 qualification comprises similar objectives and content to the Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controllers (Mineral Processing - Smelting). The scope and duration of the qualification 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 qualifications 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 the following 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.

Further horizontal articulation will be possible to the following mining-related qualifications that are being developed:

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

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

Vertical articulation is possible to the following qualification:

National Diploma in Extraction Metallurgy, Level 6.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

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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