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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: Mine Survey Observer |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 124466 | Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mine Survey Observer | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - MQA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Intermediate Occupational Cert | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Fabrication and Extraction | ||
| 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 0632/25 | 2025-06-03 | 2030-06-03 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2031-06-03 | 2034-06-03 | |||
| 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 replaces: |
| Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
| 65549 | National Certificate: Mining Technical Support | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 138 | Complete |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Mine Survey Observer. Mine Survey Observers use basic survey techniques, methods and tools; and complete administrative functions and duties; in accordance with organisational, statutory, and regulatory requirements. A qualified learner will be able to: The qualifying learner will be able to effectively and competently use survey techniques and tools to measure, record mining features; and calculate monthly mine production. The qualification provides learners with opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the broader fields of mine surveying, mine sampling, mine planning and occupational health, safety and environmental management. Graduate attributes: Rationale: Mine Surveying fulfils an essential function since the information that is provided is indispensable to all the other mining disciplines. Mine Surveying is an essential component of Mineral Resource Management that provides technical support in terms of measurement, reporting, positional accuracy and direction to the mining process. The role of Mine Surveying has changed in recent times, with changes in legislation, changes in technologies, and work structures. The role of Mine Survey Observers is to provide technical support in terms of accurate measurement and recording of mine workings. This specialised task is critical to the design, planning, and safety of surface and underground mining activities, which must be accurately represented on mine plans. Recent advancements in information technology within the mining industry, coupled with escalating statutory requirements for surveying work, highlight the urgent need to enhance the skills of mine surveyors. This qualification aims to equip potential learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving technological, statutory, and mandatory demands effectively. This qualification offers opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the broader domains of mine sampling, mine planning, and occupational health, safety, and environmental management. The curriculum associated with this qualification comprehensively covers the knowledge and practical skills essential for operations in underground hardrock mines, underground coal mines, and surface excavations. Geospatial data forms the foundation of mining. Mining surveyors are responsible for the accurate measurement of areas and volumes mined, plus the precise representation of the surface and underground situation on mining plans. improve the safety of any surface and underground mining operations. The qualification will enhance the mining sector and benefit society by equipping learners with the skills and technical competencies needed to elevate work standards and improve the safety of any surface and underground mining operations. This proficiency will not only boost productivity but also contribute to the nation's economy. A strengthened economy attracts both local and international investors, thereby further stimulating economic growth and development. Learners registering for this qualification will typically be working within the mining industry or Survey Assistants who would like to advance their skills in mine surveying. Mine workers with appropriate experience seeking to advance their careers will also benefit from this qualification. The typical learning pathway in mining operations would be Mine Technical Support Services Assistant: Survey/Planning skills programme at NQF Level 2, Mine Survey Observer at NQF Level 3, then National Occupational Certificate: Mine Survey Officer at NQF Level 4, with specialisations in Surveying, Sampling, Geology or Mine Planning then a Mine Survey Supervisor/Chief Surveyor at NQF Level 7. There are currently no other similar qualifications registered under the OQSF. Related occupations and professions include: Typical occupations: Collaboration with relevant stakeholders during the development of this qualification: |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for Access: Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. RPL for Exemption: For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA): Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| 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: 40. Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 48. Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 32. |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Apply knowledge and skills to use basic survey techniques, methods and tools to perform survey functions.
2. Measure and record mining features and calculate monthly mine production. 3. Apply procedures and techniques to perform map reading and measuring functions within a mining environment. 4. Apply communication strategies to convey messages effectively. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Apply knowledge and skills to use basic survey techniques, methods and tools to perform survey functions. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO 2: Measure and record mining features and calculate monthly mine production. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO 3: Apply procedures and techniques to perform map reading and measuring functions within a mining environment. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: ELO 4: Apply communication strategies to convey messages effectively. Integrated Assessment: Formative Assessments conducted internally Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment. Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained. Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided. Integrated Summative Assessments conducted Internally Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, part-qualification or occupational skills qualification, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed. An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification, part-qualification or skills qualification. Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc. The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the final result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA. External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA): The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner. For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating: The attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules OR The attainment of all modules for the Knowledge and Application Components. The attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules. Or The attainment of all modules for the Knowledge and Application Components. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| This qualification was compared with similar qualifications from New Zealand and Australia:
New Zealand: Certificate in Surveying (Level 4), with 75 credits, is an entry level qualification into the surveying profession. It is aimed at new entrants and those already working as surveyor assistants. Entry into the qualification is open. This qualification is offered by Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Hamilton) and Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Wellington). Qualified learners will gain knowledge and skills that will enable them to work safely when carrying out basic survey duties, collect basic survey information and present it in a range of useable forms, and apply practical surveying skills to assist with land surveys. The outcomes of the qualification are summarised below: Similarities: The outcomes covered in the New Zealand Certificate in Surveying are all covered in the South African Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mine Survey Observer qualification. Differences: The Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mine Survey Observer has a high credit value. This is attributed to additional modules such as Mineral resource management, Mining and mineral engineering practice for mine surveyors, and Teamwork and supervision. The South African qualification is pitched at NQF Level 3 whilst the New Zealand qualification is pitched at Level 4. The South African Intermediate National Occupation: Survey Observer qualification comprises knowledge modules, practical skills modules and work experience modules which are compulsory for the attainment of this qualification. The qualification will be offered over a period of just over a year. Australia: Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services is offered by TAFE International Western Australia and Australian Training and Education Centre (Pty) Ltd. To enter the qualification, learners should have An IELTS score (academic) of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent and Equivalent to Australian Year 11 with a "C" grade in Maths. The qualification is offered over a maximum of 6 months with a minimum of 20 contact sessions per week. This qualification offers learners with knowledge and skills that will empower them to be work-ready. Upon completion of the qualification, a qualified learner can practice as Surveying Assistant or Spatial Information Services Assistant. Learners can advance their careers by enrolling in the CPP41721 Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services, which, by virtue of completion, will qualify them to practice as Mine and Engineering Surveyors. The qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills that will enable them to produce, read, and interpret basic maps, collect survey data, produce basic plans of surveys, and perform basic surveying computations. In addition, learners will learn about workplace safety and the requirements necessary to be successful in the field. The knowledge and skills acquired in this qualification can be applied in different work contexts such as town planning, civil construction, mining, engineering, health, agriculture, and defence. To be awarded the qualification, learners must complete 11 units of learning. Six (6) of these are core and five (5) are electives as illustrated below: Core Units: Elective units: Similarities: All 6 core and 4 elective units, with the exception of provision of first aid, are covered in the South African Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Survey Observer qualification. This implies that learners who qualify against the South African qualification, will have gained similar competencies as those who underwent the Australian qualification. It has also been noted that, as with the South African qualified learners, the Australian qualified learners can operate within the mining sector over and above the other sectors in which the gained skills can be applied. Differences: Differences have been noted with entry requirements, composition and duration. Entry into the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mine Survey Observer is an NQF Level 3 qualification with communication and mathematics and an NQF Level 2 Skills Programme: Mine Technical Support Services Assistant. On the other hand, entry into the Australian qualification is An IELTS score (academic) of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent and Equivalent to Australian Year 11 with a "C" grade in Maths. The South African Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Survey Observer qualification comprises compulsory modules while the Australian qualification has both core units and elective units. The South African qualification is offered over a year, whilst the Australian one is offered over six months. Conclusion: The theory covered in the South African qualification is comparable with the theory covered in the qualifications offered in New Zealand and Australia. However, the South African qualification covers more of the generic aspects relating to problem solving, communication and teamwork. The Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mine Survey Observer is custom designed for the South African context, it covers the relevant legislation in detail, and it creates ample opportunity for the required practical exposure to the specific mining operations. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for following articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: National Occupational Certificate Mine Survey Officer, NQF Level 4 (Part of the pack). Diagonal Articulation: National Certificate: Vocational, NQF Level 4. |
| NOTES |
| Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
Legal requirements Meet legislated. and regulatory requirements to enter the training programme. Physical requirements Meets organisational requirements. Criteria for the accreditation of providers. Accreditation requirements, against which Skills Development Providers (SDP) and Assessment Centres, will be accredited, is found in the Curriculum Document, as listed below. The curriculum title and code are: Mine Survey Observer: 311701-009-01-00 Encompassed Trade: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP). Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA). |
| 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. |
| 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. |