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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 QUALIFICATION: |
| Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Surface Blaster |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 121163 | Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Surface Blaster | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - MQA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Intermediate Occupational Cert | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Engineering and Related Design | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 120 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 03 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0820/23 | 2023-11-14 | 2028-11-14 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2029-11-14 | 2032-11-14 | |||
| 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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to be a Surface Blaster. A Surface Blaster conducts mining blasting operations effectively and safely to realise optimum blast performance in accordance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements. A qualifying learner will know and be able to oversee, apply and exercise safety, health and environmental measures, processes and procedures, including the waiting-place/ assembly point procedures, entry examination, making the workplace safe and completing the safe declaration; troubleshoot problems; communicate effectively; and conduct blasting operations. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The Surface Blaster's appointment is prescribed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), whereby appointees must be in possession of the appropriate Certificate of Competency issued by the DMRE. In terms of mining legislation, Surface Blasters who are appointed must be qualified, by virtue of their knowledge, training, skills, and experience, to perform the activities contemplated; and must be trained, assessed, and found competent, in accordance with recognised training and development programmes, so there is a need in the sector for this qualification. Learners registering for this qualification will typically be working within the mining industry in surface mining operations. The typical learning pathway in mining production operations would be to begin with an occupational qualification at NQF Level 1 or 2, proceed to Blasting Assistant at NQF Level 2, then Surface Blaster at NQF Level 3, Shift Supervisor, at NQF Level 4, Mine Overseer at NQF Level 5 and Mine Manager at NQF Level 7. There is currently no similar qualification registered on the NQF. The work is done in excavations that do not exist naturally but are created through rock-breaking and blasting activities. This unique environment holds many hazards and risks for all personnel. The skills required to master the work in this occupation are complex and require dedicated learning, application, and specialised technical skills. Mining will remain the backbone of the South African economy for many years to come, and with the advance of technology, there will in the coming decades, be opportunities to return to and access the minerals left behind in the older mines. The mining and minerals sector will also be able to access resources that are currently too deep to mine. The development of occupational competence as set out in this qualification is essential to capitalise on these technological advances. Development of the qualification was in consultation with sector practitioners and providers and through the Minerals Council South Africa, Trade Unions and the DMRE. This qualification will benefit society in terms of skills and technical competencies since qualifying learners will improve work standards, health and safety, effectiveness, and contribute significantly to the growth of the country's economy. This qualification does not require registration with a professional body. |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| N |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 36 Practical Skill Modules Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 56 Work Experience Modules Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 28 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Carry out and conduct safety, health and environmental operations, interpreting, applying, and exercising policies, procedures, performance parameters, controls, and operating standards.
2. Conduct blasting operations, interpreting, applying and exercising policies, procedures, performance parameters, controls, and operating standards. 3. Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot, identify and address mining-related problems. 4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in respect of technical and practical mine operations. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Carry out and conduct safety, health and environmental operations, interpreting, applying, and exercising policies, procedures, performance parameters, controls, and operating standards Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO 2: Conduct blasting operations, interpreting, applying and exercising policies, procedures, performance parameters, controls, and operating standards Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO 3: Troubleshoot Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: ELO 4: Communicate effectively Integrated Assessment: Formative Assessment The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment. Summative Assessment An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The external assessment will consist of an evaluation and verification of records, and an interview, by a registered assessor(s), and/ or a written assessment, using specified assessment criteria requirement |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The Blaster has the skills and competency to conduct blasting operations; the competency is trained extensively in South Africa and is fundamental for any person who will be appointed as a Blaster.
Locally and internationally, blasting licences or tickets are issued to applicants meeting strict requirements. Typically a temporary licence is issued, and a permanent licence issued after a qualifying period in operations. An examination (verbal, written and/or practical) will be conducted by an appropriate authority. Learners achieve outcomes or vocationally based qualifications which then enable them to be "accredited" as blasters or shotfirers. The core competencies qualification relate to blasting, which include aspects such as explosives handling, safety and environmental requirements. Due to the legal (and security) implications associated with explosives, there may be other legal requirements relating to individuals, such as criminal records and mental stability. The principles of "currency of competence" and "continuous development" are also generally applied to holders of this qualification. Australia and New Zealand have well-developed mining and quarrying sectors and were selected for comparison. Australia: The Australian College of Mining, ACM Training Services and Australian Group Training Pty Ltd offer the RII30120 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations. There are no entry requirements for this qualification. The qualification may be delivered and assessed in the workplace or in a simulated environment. Assessment is equivalent to the formative assessment in this qualification. External assessment is not a requirement. The duration of a certificate is usually one year. The Certificate includes similar units of competency, as follows: This qualification articulates to RII40120 Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations, for supervisory operations, which is generally equivalent to the South African certificate Shift Supervisor. The competencies identified above are largely equivalent to the Blaster qualification. Differences The main difference between the South African and Australian qualification is that the Blaster is narrowly defined for surface mining blasting operations, whereas the Australian qualification, by way of Electives, may be applied broadly to surface extraction operations. New Zealand: Certificate in Blasting (Level 4) with strands in Land Operations, Surface (Quarry or Opencast), Underground (Tunnelling or Metalliferous), Underground Coal, and Construction. The Surface (Quarry or Opencast) strand has 80 credits. Entry Requirements is a Level 3 Certificate. Qualifying learners who wish to apply for a Controlled Substances Licence to possess Class 1 substances, will be required to pass a Fit and Proper Person check by the New Zealand Police. (South Africa has similar requirements). The course is offered by, for example, MITO New Zealand Incorporated and Tai Poutini Polytechnic Ltd. A qualified learner will be able to: A qualified learner of the Surface (Quarry or Opencast) strand will also be able to: Similarities The outcomes above are largely similar to the South African qualification. Differences The main difference between the South African and New Zealand qualifications is that the South African qualifications has entry at NQF Level 1, which accounts for the higher credits/longer duration. Conclusion: Based on the comparison above of the qualifications available and competencies required in Australia, New Zealand, the conclusion is that that the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Surface Blaster can be considered comparable to that in other countries. ARTICULATION OPTIONS This qualification provides opportunities for the following articulation options. Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for the following articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers The curriculum title and code are: Surface Blaster 684201-001-00-00. Encompassed Trade: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) RELATED PART-QUALIFICATIONS (Where Applicable) LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION None |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. |
| 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. |