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: 

Plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336942  Plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine 
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 4  NQF Level 04  9 
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 of various commodities mined in a small scale mine.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mineral processing for a small-scale mine.
  • Obtain information necessary to plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine.
  • Plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine. 
    		•

    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 3. 
    		•

    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:

    Small Scale Miners will be expected to demonstrate competency in simplified metallurgical processes related to their particular mineral commodity e.g. Mintek has developed a process for extracting gold for small scale miners using household chemicals; the process is economical, easy to use and environmentally friendly. Similar processes using appropriate technology can be developed for other mineral commodities. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of various commodities mined in a small scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The characteristics of various mineral commodities are described in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics must include:
  • Characteristics of various mineral commodities.
  • Associated mineral commodities.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of mineral processing for a small-scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The information required to plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine is described in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes but not limited to:
  • Ore characteristics.
  • Final product characteristics.
  • Appropriate technology.
  • Appropriate equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significance of information necessary for planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine is described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Procedures to be followed during planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine are described in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Organise information for planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The information necessary for planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine is obtained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes but not limited to:
  • Ore characteristics.
  • Final product characteristics.
  • Appropriate technology.
  • Appropriate equipment.
  • Logistics.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significance of information necessary for planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine is determined in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The information necessary for planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine is assessed as fit for purpose in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Plans are drawn up in accordance with specified company requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All information is collated and evaluated in accordance with specified company requirements. 


    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 Embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the Unit Standard:
  • Characteristics of various mineral commodities.
  • Information required to plan a mineral processing plant.
  • Procedures to be followed during planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine.
  • Drawing up plans.
  • Collating and evaluating information. 
    		•

    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 learner to identify strategic issues pertaining to planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community:
  • Note: The ability and willingness of the learner to consult and cooperate with other team members while planning a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively:
  • The ability of the learner to plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine in a planned and systematic manner. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to collect, evaluate and consider all relevant information in order to plan a mineral processing plant for a small-scale mine meaningfully. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation:
  • The learner understands that a mineral processing plant for small-scale mines require various systems and the activities of various role players, all of whom have an impact on the eventual running of the mine. 
    		•

    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 & Safety Act and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Development Act, 2002.
  • 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.