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
256627  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" 		 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
9628  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 will be useful for people who are required to determining the fineness of gold bullion. It is applicable to laboratory personnel in the gold industry.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills and knowledge of determining the fineness of gold bullion in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • 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 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    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 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the gold bullion analysis are identified and explained with reference to team health, safety and environmental impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate preventative measures are described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of the reagents and consumables used is explained with reference to their function in the process in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reagents and consumables must include:
  • Silver.
  • Copper.
  • Lead.
  • Check gold.
  • Nitric acid.
  • Cupels.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose and use of equipment required for the process are explained with reference to their function in the process in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Micro-balance.
  • Muffle.
  • Anvil.
  • Roller.
  • Parting apparatus.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    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 6 
    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 7 
    The selection of aliquot material is explained in terms of sample origin, particle size and contaminants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The security requirements and precautions for the handling of gold bullion are explained in accordance with legal and company specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    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 
    The required personal protective and safety equipment is available, operational, fit for purpose and is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

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

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the gold bullion fineness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is used in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Poblems encountered are identified and rectified in accordance with operational requirements. 

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The work is conducted to meet specified health, safety, security and environmental standards. In accordance with specified requirements. 
    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 
  • 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 is dealt with in an integrated manner in the unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to determining the gold fineness of gold bullion by the re-inquartation and parting procedure:
  • The purpose of the gold fineness determination.
  • The purpose and use of equipment required.
  • The purpose of the reagents and consumables used.
  • The importance of the required Silver: Gold and Lead: Gold ratios in the process.
  • The causes, prevention, or compensation of potential inaccuracies in the process.
  • The selection of aliquot material.
  • The security requirements and precautions for the handling of gold bullion as per.

    Critical factors and functions relating to the process:
  • Basic principles and methods.
  • The principal components.
  • Common problems.
  • Equipment used.
  • Chemicals required, use and handling.

    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 determining the gold fineness of gold bullion. 

    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 determining the gold fineness of gold bullion by the re-inquartation and parting procedure. 

    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 9628, "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 and Safety Act and Regulations and Minerals Act and Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    Site-Specific:
  • 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 and 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  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.