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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician: (Mining Surveyor) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94876  Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician: (Mining Surveyor) 
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  218  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 Mining Technician: (Surveyor Mining).

Learners will be able to:
  • Use survey techniques and tools.
  • To establish fixed survey stations/points-underground and surface mines, where they determine position.
  • Take measurements.
  • Determine volumes and tonnages.
  • Delineate working area plans.
  • Measure and plot mining production areas and volumes on surface and in underground mines.
  • Guide mining operations according to approved mine layouts.
    It is the intention that this qualification will be used as the basis for issuing a license to practice as a Junior Surveyor in the Mining industry.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is targeted at occupations at the entry level of the professional career pathway for mine surveying.

    The focus of the qualification is on the specialisation area Mining.

    The qualification development was initiated by the Mine Qualifications Authority upon request from the industry and the Association for Professional Surveyors.

    Successful completion of this qualification the learner will be able to articulate to degree or diploma studies at a Higher Education Institution.

    The qualification covers the required knowledge and practical skills needed in Underground Hardrock Mines, Underground Coal Mines and Surface Excavations.

    The role of the Mining Technician Surveyor is critical in Mineral Resource Management. Skills in this area are scarce and with the development of new technologies and increasing legal and environmental requirements the level of complexity of work in this area is increasing. 
    		•

    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 access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 3 qualification with Mathematics or Mathematical literacy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 311701001-KM-01, Mining Surveying Practice, NQF Level 4, Credits 38.
  • 311701001-KM-02, Mining and Mineral Engineering Practice for Mine Surveyors (1), NQF Level 4, Credits12.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 50.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 311701001-PM-01, Determine location of surveying to be conducted, NQF Level 4, Credits 24.
  • 311701001-PM-02, Measure and record geological and other features. , NQF Level 4, Credits16.
  • 311701001-PM-03, Measure and calculate production rates and volumes, NQF Level 4, Credits 8.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 48.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 311701001-WM-01, Exposure to the processes for establishing survey points on mines, NQF Level 4, Credits 60.
  • 311701001-WM-02, Exposure to mining production measurement processes, NQF Level 4, Credits 60.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 120. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Use survey techniques and tools to establish fixed survey points.
    2. Measure and plot the volumes and areas of mine production. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The location where surveying must be conducted is accurately determined on mine plans and correctly recorded.
  • All permissions to conduct the surveys are obtained in terms of the legal procedures and all documents are correctly completed.
  • A proper mini risk assessment is conducted before work starts and all hazards are correctly dealt with.
  • The survey tools and equipment is correctly used to determine the survey base.
  • All calculations are accurately and correctly made and all measurements are correctly captured.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • All specified survey methods are correctly applied in the various work environments to obtain the data for calculating mine production areas and volumes.
  • All required calculations are correctly made and accurately captured.
  • The techniques and processes of traversing at a fixed direction and or distance with pre-determined gradients are fully and accurately explained.
  • The dip, strike and throw of various geological features are correctly located, identified and measured, from a fixed survey point.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The integrated assessment will take place when learners have completed all theoretical and practical components and have gained the required experience as set out in the work experience modules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In terms of curriculum components an intensive research was conducted via the internet utilising key words such as unit standard, mining, surface mining and mining environments. South Africa has a world class and highly sophisticated Mining and Minerals Sector. In selecting countries for international comparability it was important to consider countries where mining occurs or in countries where processes that can be used within mines exist. No qualification could be found that distinctly compares with the South African qualification.

    The following qualification was analysed:
    Certificate Program Surveying and Mapping Technician.
    Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, Connecticut.

    This qualification is designed to provide learners with entry-level skills required to fill technician jobs in the areas of measuring and mapping the earth's surface and establishing official land, airspace and water boundaries. This certificate gives students the opportunity to discover the fundamentals of surveying and mapping along with the establishing foundational skills used to execute engineering calculations. This qualification consists of courses that will enable learners to apply these skills in one of the fastest growing fields. Having a surveying and mapping certificate will afford students the opportunity to obtain work or continue their education to acquire an A.S. or an advanced degree. Surveying and mapping are integral in infrastructure building, all phases in construction and environmental planning and land-use in the United States today. In today's economy and in the consideration of the "new" paradigm of re-surveying and mapping the Earth this certificate is very timely.

    Modules/Subjects:
  • Site Analysis.
  • Site Analysis Lab.
  • Intro to GIS and Lab.
  • Surveying I.
  • Surveying I Lab.
  • Intermediate Algebra.
  • Computer-Aided Drafting.
  • Computer-Aided Drafting Lab.
  • Surveying II.
  • Surveying II Lab.
  • Environmental Regulations.

    It is not clear how the credits had been calculated and neither is it clear at what comparative NQF level the qualification is. It seems as though this course is at least one level above the envisaged South African qualification and more or less the same duration in term of the core content. The South African qualification includes the work experience component which is not included in the qualification that it is being compared with.

    The South African qualification is highly contextualised for the mining industry and in terms of the curriculum it covers approximately 50% of the content at NQF Level 4.

    Conclusion:
    Although it was not possible to make a direct comparison with the South African qualification several components in the compared qualification relates to the international qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification can articulate horizontally with the following qualification:
  • National Certificate: Photogrammetry Surveying, NQF Level 4, SAQA ID 20488.

    This qualification can articulate vertically with the following qualification:
  • Need to double check qualifications. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    Successful completion of all theory, practical skills modules work experience components and approval of the supporting evidence including Foundational Learning Competence.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    Meet the regulated health requirements for working on mines.

    Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
    Accreditation of providers to provide this qualification will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is: Surveyor: Mining, 311701002.
    This qualification encompasses the following trades recorded on the NLRD:
    This is not a trade. 

    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.
     
    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.