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

Plan for authorisation of small-scale prospecting and mining operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336906  Plan for authorisation of small-scale prospecting and mining operations 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction 
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  3 
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 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding on obtaining authorization for a small-scale prospecting and mining operation.
  • Obtain a prospecting and mining right.
  • Obtain authorization to access area from landowner(s).
  • Submit application to DME. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare to obtain authorization for small-scale prospecting and mining operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process of obtaining authorization for small-scale prospecting and mining is described in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Process includes but not limited to:
  • Environmental Impact Assessment/Environmental Management Plan Report.
  • Labour and Social plan.
  • Mine works programme.
  • Proof of legal entity.
  • Proof of financial and technical capacity.
  • Prospecting works programme.
  • Coordinated sketch plan.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The specific legal requirements for small-scale prospecting and mining are listed in terms of relevant legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal requirements include but not limited to:
  • Prospecting/mining right.
  • Landowner agreement.
  • Surface rights agreement.
  • Local authority agreement.
  • Interested and affected parties.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Obtain prospecting and mining permits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Required application forms are completed and submitted in accordance with Department of Minerals and Energy guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Supporting documentation is attached to correct application forms in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Supporting documents include but not limited to:
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (scooping report).
  • Environmental Management Plan Report.
  • Labour and social plan.
  • Mine works programme.
  • Proof of legal entity and proxy.
  • Proof of financial and technical competence.
  • Surface rights agreement.
  • Local authority agreement.
  • Evidence of mineral deposit.
  • Proof of consultation with interested and affected parties (includes government departments).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The application is submitted in accordance with Department of Minerals and Energy procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Evaluate information obtained to access area from landowner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relevant landowner(s) are identified correctly in accordance with the social plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The landowner agreement(s) is negotiated with the relevant landowner(s) in accordance with the relevant procedure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Landowner agreement includes but not limited to:
  • Access Road.
  • Prospecting camp location.
  • Location of the Mining infrastructure.
  • Access to water/electricity/fuel.
  • Public participation process.
  • Landowner Compensation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The landowner agreement(s) are compiled and signed by all relevant parties in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The required application forms are completed and collated in accordance with the guidelines. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard 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 unit standard 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.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard 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 assessed in an integrated manner in the Unit Standard:
  • Process of obtaining authorization for small-scale prospecting and mining.
  • Specific legal requirements for small-scale prospecting and mining.
  • Required application forms.
  • Supporting documentation.
  • Identifying relevant landowner(s).
  • Negotiating landowner agreement(s).
  • DME guidelines for submitting applications. 
    		•

    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:
  • The ability of the candidate to anticipate, identify and address problems pertaining to the prospecting. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The candidate takes care to compile the relevant information and documentation accurately in support of the application to. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations:
  • The candidate communicates with all parties involved (landowners, colleagues and DME officials) in a cooperative and professional. 
    		•

    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 
    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, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • 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 Material Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  74490   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.
     
    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.