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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Determine the gold fineness of gold bullion by the re-inquartation and parting procedure 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9628  Determine the gold fineness of gold bullion by the re-inquartation and parting procedure 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2004-12-02  2007-12-02  SAQA 1657/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02   2011-12-02  

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 unit standard is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
256627  Determine the gold fineness of gold bullion by the re-inquartation and parting procedure  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons responsible for determining the fineness of gold bullion. It is applicable to laboratory personnel in the gold industry
A person credited with this unit standard can:
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to gold bullion analysis
  • Prepare for the gold bullion analysis
  • Determine the gold bullion fineness 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Those listed below or their equivalent:
  • Mathematics, Science and Communications at ABET Level 4
  • Determine the mass of a substance using a microbalance
  • Perform measurements using volumetric glassware
  • Proficiency at preparing reagents
  • Recover precious metals from a lead button by means of the cupellation process
  • Proficiency at parting gold and silver prills
  • General fire assay and laboratory safety rules 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This standard is for use in the gold mining industry, for the determination of the fineness of gold. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to gold bullion analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Hazards and risks pertaining to the gold bullion analysis are identified and explained with reference to team health, safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventative measures are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The purpose of the reagents and consumables used is explained with reference to their function in the process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reagents and consumables must include:
  • Silver
  • Copper
  • Lead
  • Check gold
  • Nitric acid
  • Cupels
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The purpose and use of equipment required for the process are explained with reference to their function in the process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Micro-balance
  • Muffle
  • Anvil
  • Roller
  • Parting apparatus
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The importance of the required Silver: Gold and Lead: Gold ratios in the process is explained with reference to the parting of the silver and gold and to the "fineness" respectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The causes, prevention, or compensation of potential inaccuracies in the process is explained in terms of feathering, vegetation, spitting, losses, incomplete parting, surcharge and non-homogeneity of samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The selection of aliquot material is explained in terms of sample origin, particle size and contaminants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The security requirements and precautions for the handling of gold bullion as per company specific procedures are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The purpose of the gold fineness determination is explained with reference to mine production, gold accounting and customer requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for the gold bullion analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The required personal protective and safety equipment is available, operational, fit for purpose and is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Equipment required for the process is correctly identified, is in good working order and prepared for use, in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Micro-balance
  • Muffle
  • Tongs / tweezers
  • Hammer / anvil
  • Rolls
  • Hot plate
  • Parting apparatus / glassware
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Reagents and consumables required for the process are verified and prepared for use in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reagents and consumables must include:
  • Proof gold
  • Pure silver
  • Pure copper
  • Pure lead foil
  • Parting acid
  • Cupels
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The gold bullion sample is received, verified and registered in accordance with specified security requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the gold bullion fineness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The required personal protective and safety equipment is used and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Equipment is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The fineness of the gold bullion is determined, calculated and results reported in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Specified requirements must include:
  • Accuracy
  • Precision
  • Turnaround time
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Any problems encountered are identified and rectified in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The precious metals are handled throughout the process in accordance with specified security requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The work is conducted to meet specified health, safety, security and environmental standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health, safety, security and environmental issues must include:
  • Housekeeping
  • Waste disposal
  • Storage
  • Dealing with the sample (used and unused)
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Incorporated into the specific outcomes and assessment criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to identify technical problems, sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The candidate is required to maintain the link in the process in order to achieve production, health, safety and environmental targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The candidate is required to prioritize and integrate the various activities in order to meet the set targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to collect and evaluate information from numerical data and/or physical observations in terms of specified requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
  • Note: The candidate is required to accurately and clearly convey information to relevant personnel. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The candidate is required to use equipment responsibly to avoid environmental pollution and to safeguard team health. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Note: The candidate is aware of his/her role in the organization in terms of social, economic and environmental impact. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 256627, which is "Determine the gold fineness of gold bullion by the re-inquartation and parting procedure", Level 3, 4 credits.

    Terminology

    Specified Requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and site specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991)
  • Regulations
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SABS and other Standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` Directives

    Site Specifics
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice
  • Managerial Instructions
  • Mine Standard Procedures
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks
  • Working Guides
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58952   Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-08-05  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.