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: 

Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of different activities related to the processing of minerals in the mining and minerals sector 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
110430  Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of different activities related to the processing of minerals in the mining and minerals sector 
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 1  NQF Level 01  14 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons who work or intend to work within a mining & minerals context, and who seek to acquire recognition in essential knowledge and skills in metallurgical related operations. A person credited with this unit standard can:
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the size reduction processes (comminution) in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the classification processes in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the beneficiation processes in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the chemical processing techniques (hydro) in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the dewatering processes in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the high temperature metallurgical processes (pyro) in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the refining processes in a metallurgical plant.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the materials transport processes in a metallurgical plant. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • ABET Level 3 - fundamental competencies
  • Or equivalent unit standards 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the size reduction processes. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the size reduction processes (comminution) in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for size reduction (comminution), in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications in comminution and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Crushing,
  • Milling,
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of crushers and their application are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types must include:
  • Compression,
  • Impact.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The different types of mills and their application are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types must include:
  • Rod mills
  • Ball mills
  • Semi autogenous milling,
  • Autogenous milling,
  • Scrubbers
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the classification processes in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for classifications, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Screening,
  • Hydro cyclone,
  • Settling.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of screens and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The hydro cyclone separation and it`s application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The different types of settling and their application are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the beneficiation processes in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for beneficiation, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The selection of the different processes is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Properties of the ore.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The methods and applications in beneficiation and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Gravity,
  • Magnetic,
  • Electrostatic,
  • Froth flotation,
  • Dense medium separation,
  • Hand sorting,
  • Mechanical sorting,
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the chemical processing techniques. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the chemical processing techniques (hydro) in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for chemical processing techniques, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications of chemical processing techniques and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Leaching,
  • Adsorption,
  • Precipitation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of leaching and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The different types of adsorption and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The different types of precipitation and their application are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the dewatering processes in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for dewatering material, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications of dewatering processes and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Thickening,
  • Filtering,
  • Screening,
  • Centrifuging,
  • Thermal drying.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of thickeners and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The different types of filters and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The different types of centrifuges and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The different types of thermal dryers and their application are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the high temperature metallurgical processes. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the high temperature metallurgical processes (pyro) in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for high temperature metallurgical processes, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications of high temperature metallurgical processes and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Roasting,
  • Sintering,
  • Smelting,
  • Converting.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of roasters and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The sintering process and it`s application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The different types of smelters and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The different types of converters and their application are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the refining processes in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for the refining processes, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications of refining processes and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Electro metallurgy,
  • Chemical refining.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of electro metallurgy and it`s application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The different types of chemical refining and it`s application are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the materials transport processes. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the materials transport processes in a metallurgical plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of and reason for the materials transport processes, in terms of achieving production and up- and down stream operational requirements in a metallurgical plant, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The methods and applications of the material transport processes and the importance thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods must include:
  • Conveyors,
  • Pumps,
  • Feeders,
  • Water & air lifts,
  • Pneumatic conveying etc.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The different types of conveyors and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The different types of pumps and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The different types of feeders and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The different types of water & airlifts and their application are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The different types of pneumatic conveying and their application are explained. 


    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 to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is addressed in specific outcome 1, as well as other assessment criteria throughout the unit standard. 

    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 hazards and risks, sub standard conditions, process problems and to rectify these, illustrates his capability to solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/ group/ organisation/ community.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to communicate effectively and to maintain optimum production illustrates his capability to work effectively with others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to maintain optimum production whilst adhering to safety procedures, illustrates his capability to organise and manage himself and his activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to implement corrective actions, illustrates his capability to collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to maintain optimum production through effective communication and his ability to adhere to reporting requirements illustrates his capability to communicate effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others).

    Note: The ability of the candidate to adhere to safety, health and environmental requirements, illustrates his capability to use science and technology effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to explain the importance of the process in terms of achieving production and up and down stream requirements illustrates his understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember, we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence - of the prescribed type and quality as specified in this unit standard - that the candidate is able to achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well-documented principles of assessment, namely appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    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).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SABS and other relevant Standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` Directives

    Site Specific
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme
  • 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  58267   General Education and Training Certificate: Mining and Minerals Processes  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. ALLOYS HEAD OFFICE 
    3. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    4. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    5. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    6. BANA BA THARI MINING TRANING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    7. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    8. ERGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY NPC 
    9. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    10. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    11. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    12. GLENCORE OPERATIONS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 
    13. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    14. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    15. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    16. Kumba Sishen HRD Centre 
    17. LYNAZY RESOURCES 
    18. MARULA PLATINUM PTY LTD 
    19. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    20. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    21. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    22. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    23. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    24. PPC Ltd 
    25. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    26. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    27. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    28. SIBANYE RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES PTY LTD 
    29. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    30. TWO RIVERS PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 


    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.