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 knowledge and understanding of sorting and evaluating diamonds 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
421844  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sorting and evaluating diamonds 
ORIGINATOR
QCTO Task Team - 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 2  NQF Level 02  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 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are entering into small scale diamond mining, as well as people who are currently working in this field and who need formal qualifications. This unit standard will contribute to the formalisation of this sub-sector.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the different characteristics of diamond gemstones.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the different characteristics of industrial diamonds and boart.
  • Sort and evaluate diamonds.
  • Record and register diamonds. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the different characteristics of diamond gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Characteristics of diamond gemstones are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Colour.
  • Clarity.
  • Cut (shape).
  • Carat (weight).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The colour of diamonds and the effect thereof on the value of diamonds is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The clarity of diamonds and the effect thereof on the value of diamonds is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The cut of diamonds and the effect thereof on the value of diamonds is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The carat value of diamonds and the effect thereof on the value of diamonds is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the different characteristics of industrial diamonds and boart. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The clarity factor in the valuation of industrial diamonds is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The colour factor in the valuation of industrial diamonds is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The shape of the diamond as factor in the valuation of industrial diamonds is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The carat value in the valuation of industrial diamonds is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The characteristics of boart are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Cut (shape).
  • Carat (weight).
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Sort and evaluate diamonds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sort and evaluate gem stone diamonds. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Colour.
  • Clarity.
  • Cut (shape).
  • Carat (weight).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sort and evaluate industrial diamonds. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Colour.
  • Clarity.
  • Cut (shape).
  • Carat (weight).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sort and evaluate boart diamonds. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Cut (shape).
  • Carat (weight).
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Record and register diamonds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Legal requirements pertaining to the recording of diamonds are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Legal requirements pertaining to the reporting of diamonds mined are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Records and reports are completed in acordance with standard operating procedures/legal requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant QCTO Quality Assurance Partner (QAP).
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant QAP.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant QAP according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed QAP procedures.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless the QAP policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standard/s.
  • 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 QAP. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge will be assessed in an integrated way in the context of the unit standard.

    Critical factors relating to the sorting and evaluation of diamonds process:
  • Legal and specified requirements.
  • Achieving specified production requirements.
  • Risk Assessment procedures and actions.
  • Principal components, specifications and their functions.
  • Specified communication requirements.
  • Elementary principles of the process.

    Processes and events pertaining to the sorting and evaluation of diamonds:
  • Preparation.
  • Examination.
  • Metal recovery.
  • Monitor and control.

    Causes and effects (safety requirements):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Use of tools and equipment.
  • Workplace hazards and associated risks.
  • Housekeeping.

    Regulations, legislation, policies and standards relating to the sorting and evaluation of diamonds:
  • 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 IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
    Note:
  • The learner is able to interpret and respond to milling and classification plant and process conditions by taking appropriate action and/or referring the matter to the relevant persons. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note:
  • The learner understands the importance of and promotes effective teamwork in the milling and classification process by adhering to team protocols and actively supporting fellow team members. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly effectively.
    Note:
  • The learner is able to work in accordance with relevant operating procedures pertaining to milling and classification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note:
  • The learner is able to constantly monitor and interpret milling and classification plant and process conditions by means of visual observation, process control feedback and interaction with fellow workers. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note:
  • The learner is able to interact with process control and other technology applied in a typical metallurgical plant. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.
    Note:
  • The learner understands that successful operation of the milling and classification process depends on the successful integration between upstream, parallel and downstream processes and appreciates his role 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 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    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, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.

    Site-Specific
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • 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  90655   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  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.