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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Metallurgy Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101153  Diploma in Metallurgy Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The intended purpose of this qualification is to give the successful learner a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Metallurgical Engineering. The qualification will be treated according to the policies and procedures of the institution regarding assessment, moderation (including external moderation), monitoring of learner progress in the qualification, provision for learner disputes regarding assessment results and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Rationale:
A qualifying learner is expected to have competent in basic metallurgical process operation, product development and problem solving thus contributing to the needs of the metallurgical industry and mining community. The qualified learner will be able to register with Engineering Council of South Africa(ECSA) as Technician. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal against the assessment result where credits were not awarded.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement is:
  • National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework. (NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling at 380 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 136 Credits:
  • Information and communications technology(ICT) Skills 1, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.2, 8 Credits.
  • Computing Applications 2, 7 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.1, 8 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Law 1, 5 Credits.
  • Physics 1, 10 Credits.
  • Mathematics 1, 10 Credits.
  • Physics 2, 10 Credits.
  • Mathematics 2, 10 Credits.
  • Engineering Skills 1, 5 Credits.
  • Engineering Chemistry 2, 10 Credits.
  • Social Intelligence 1, 3 Credits.
  • Engineering Drawing 1, 10 Credits.
  • Engineering Chemistry 1, 10 Credits.
  • Engineering Geology 1, 10 Credits.
  • Management 1, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 194 Credits:
  • Physical Metallurgy 2, 10 Credits.
  • Hydrometallurgy 2, 10 Credits.
  • Physical Metallurgy 1, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.1, 8 Credits.
  • Process Thermodynamics 1, 10 Credits.
  • Mineral Processing 2, 10 Credits.
  • Mineral Processing 1, 10 Credits.
  • Pyrometallurgy 2, 10 Credits.
  • Manufacturing Metallurgy 1, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.2, 8 Credits.
  • Manufacturing Metallurgy 2, 10 Credits.
  • Quality Control 2, 10 Credits.
  • Extractive Metallurgy 1, 10 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning (Metallurgy), 60 Credits.
  • Environmental Chemistry 1, 8 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 50 Credits:
  • Hydrometallurgy 3, 10 Credits.
  • Manufacturing Metallurgy 3, 10 Credits.
  • Pyrometallurgy 3, 10 Credits.
  • Physical Metallurgy 3, 10 Credits.
  • Mineral Processing 3, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply metallurgical principles to plants and processes, and operate relevant metallurgical laboratory and plant equipment.
    2. Collect, process data and evaluate information on different plant parameters and/or failure investigations.
    3. Apply properties of different materials.
    4. Apply safety, health and environmental control procedures.
    5. Implement communication skills to write reports and make oral presentations supported by effective non-verbal information.
    6. Apply technical and administrative principles to metallurgical plants and processes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of working principles and the application of equipment.
  • Control calibration of equipment.
  • Prepare samples.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use test apparatus laboratory equipment.
  • Comply with industry requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Interpret information.
  • Investigate and evaluate quality of processes and products.
  • Evaluate the quality of methods.
  • Specify certain specific results.
  • Identify technical problems.
  • Recommend, implement and maintain corrective action.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Know the properties of materials.
  • Identify different materials for a specific application.
  • Select correct materials for an application.
  • Characterise materials.
  • Do failure investigations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Assess/identify adverse or hazardous environmental conditions.
  • Apply effective environmental control measures according to specified requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Record and control projects logistically.
  • Supervise operators.
  • Budget construction and control.
  • Delegate responsibilities.
  • Communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally.
  • Write technical reports.
  • Interpret engineering drawings.
  • Write operational procedures.
  • Make formal presentations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyse failures and solve problems through:
  • Minor plant and material research projects.
  • Illustrate the ability to work on his/her own laid down guidelines according to constraints and abilities.
  • Provide evidence of self-motivation.

    Integrated Assessment.
    Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. All teaching and learning activities in the qualification are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading. Timely feedback provided to the learners form part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum. Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are similar international qualifications, but individual institutions have unique offerings which may/may not articulate with this qualification entirely. There is undoubtedly synergy in courses with variations ranging from slight to extreme synergy-depending on the institution. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This allows qualification for horizontal and vertical articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Diploma in Industrial Engineering, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Quality Management, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.
     
    1. Vaal University of Technology 


    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.