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

Determine the precious metal content of an assayed sample by high temperature cupellation and weighing 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256601  Determine the precious metal content of an assayed sample by high temperature cupellation and weighing 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
9747  Determine the precious metal content of an assayed sample by high temperature cupellation and weighing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people who are required to perform high temperature cupellation and mass measurement of precious metal prills. It is applicable to laboratory personnel in the platinum mining industry.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills in and knowledge of high temperature cupellation and mass measurement of precious metal prills in the mining and minerals sector.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to occupational health, safety and environment.
  • Obtain a prill by means of high temperature cupellation.
  • Quantify the precious metal content by weighing.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to high temperature cupellation and weighing. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This process is applicable to the platinum mining industry and it applies to prills obtained from the low temperature cupellation stage of the fire assay process. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to occupational health, safety and environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the high temperature cupellation process are identified and explained with reference to occupational health, safety and environmental impact. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Housekeeping.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Fume extraction.
  • Heat control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate preventive measures to address hazards and risks are described and applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required fit for purpose personal protective and safety equipment are used and maintained in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work is conducted to meet occupational health, safety and environmental requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to occupational health and safety, impact on the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Obtain a prill by means of high temperature cupellation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment for the process is identified, used and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose and basic principles of the high temperature cupellation process are explained with reference to the fire assay for precious metals. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic principles must include:
  • Elements volatilized.
  • Temperature.
  • Time.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The samples are verified and the process conducted according to operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Quantify the precious metal content by weighing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment for the process is identified, operational, used and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The samples are verified and the precious metal content quantified in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Results are calculated, verified and reported in accordance with operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain or deal with problems relating to high temperature cupellation and weighing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common problems and their effect on the high temperature cupellation process are explained and/or dealt with in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Common problems and their effect on the weighing process are explained and/or dealt with in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The work is conducted in a manner that supports a smooth flow throughout the process in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to security standards, quality, costs and lost time. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated Unit Standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be addressed in an integrated manner in the unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to high temperature cupellation:
  • Equipment for the process.
  • The purpose and basic principles of the high temperature cupellation.

    Critical factors and functions relating to the process:
  • Safety, health and risk management requirements.
  • Achieving specified production requirements.
  • Emergency procedures.
  • Security requirements.
  • Specified communication requirements.

    Processes and events:
  • Process flow and interlock systems.
  • Factors affecting the performance of the process.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Use of tools and equipment.
  • Condition of safety devices.
  • Utilisation of process equipment and consumables.
  • Workplace hazards and associated risks.
  • Effective communication.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Methods of collecting and analysing, organising, summarising and presenting data.
  • Fault finding and correction technique.
  • Quality related procedures.
  • Operating procedure.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learners ability to work to high levels of accuracy and inconsistency will contribute to the overall performance of the laboratory team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner's ability to follow work procedures closely, adhering meticulously to relevant procedures when performing high temperature cupellation and mass measurement of precious metal prills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner's ability to keep accurate records and make accurate entries into the relevant log sheets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner's ability to use and interact with technologically advanced procedures and equipment in a modern laboratory environment when performing high temperature cupellation and mass measurement of precious metal prills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is aware that in the mining (refining) industry various systems are dependent on each other, and accepts responsibility in that regard. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 9747, "Determine the precious metal content of an assayed sample by high temperature cupellation and weighing", Level 3, 7 credits.

    Terminology:

    Legal Requirements:

    Legal requirements are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Relevant legislation: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act and Minerals Act and Regulations.
  • Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets.

    Site-Specific Requirements:
  • 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 guide.
  • 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  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  64950   Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  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.