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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: |
| National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 125105 | National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer | |||
| 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 | ||
| National Occupational Cert | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Fabrication and Extraction | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 136 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 04 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0936/25 | 2025-11-13 | 2029-11-13 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2030-11-13 | 2033-11-13 | |||
| 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 |
| 98932 | Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician (Mine Ventilation Officer) | Not Applicable | NQF Level 04 | 214 | Complete |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer is to prepare a learner to operate as a Mine Environmental Control Officer. Mine Environmental Control Officers coordinate, observe, measure, monitor, and ensure the implementation of occupational environmental control and hygiene systems, procedures, processes, specifications, standards, and codes of practice and make recommendations regarding corrective action and/or improvement of mine environmental control practices to ensure legal compliance for a section of a mine. Mine Environmental Control Officers troubleshoot and address problems; react to events in time-critical environments; and complete administrative functions and duties to realise optimum operational performance, availability, and mining production requirements in accordance with organisational, statutory, and regulatory requirements. A qualified learner will be able to: The qualifying learner will be able to carry out the required tasks effectively and confidently. The qualification offers qualified learner's opportunities to advance their careers within the mine environmental control related qualifications. A competent learner shall demonstrate among others the following attributes: honesty, integrity, punctuality, time management, self-motivated, responsibility, accountability, interpersonal relations, ethical behaviour, well organised, self-confidence and confidentiality. Rationale: Mine environmental control is a highly regulated field. Mines cannot operate without appropriately qualified Mine environmental control Officers. The work of these individuals is guided by the appropriate legislation, and the regulator requires practitioners to demonstrate competence in specific areas as set out in the legislation. Historically, the suite of certificates in Mine Environmental Control issued by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa was designed and was accepted by the South African Mining Industry, including the various Governmental Mining Authorities as a key and fundamental qualification to promote health and safety in the industry. With the globalisation of companies and the mobility of professionals in the last decade, professionals in this and other similar specialised areas had to prove their knowledge, skills and the worth of their qualifications since these were not issued by a formal (and recognised) educational institution. There is a critical need in the industry to recognise learner competence regarding essential operations associated with a healthy, safe, and productive working environment. This qualification is the next step in a career path in one of the areas of specialisation in Mine Ventilation. This qualification facilitates access for learners who have completed the appropriate level three qualification to acquire the technical knowledge and skills associated with safe, healthy, and efficient controlling of mine occupational environmental conditions in the workplace. It is vital that the Mine Environmental Control Officer comes from within the mining industry and has intimate knowledge and experience of all the aspects of Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Engineering. The qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible so that learners are able to demonstrate the competencies in mine environmental control across the mining and minerals sector. This qualification will benefit society in terms of skills and technical competencies since qualifying learners will improve work standards, health and safety, and effectiveness and contribute significantly to the growth of the country's economy. This enhances employment opportunities, which benefit the sector and learners and also ensures a wider coverage of Ventilation Practitioners in the South African work environment. Learners for this qualification will be Mine Environmental Observers and mine workers with appropriate experience seeking to advance their credentials or careers. The typical learning pathway in mining operations would be Mine Environmental Observer at NQF Level 3, Mine Environmental Officer at NQF Level 4, then Mine Environmental Control Supervisor at NQF Level 7 within the Occupational Qualification Sub-Framework. At the time of reviewing this qualification, a learning pathway across sub-frameworks could not be established because diagonal articulation was not possible. Collaboration with relevant stakeholders: |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for Access to Training: 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. 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. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 3 qualification with Communication and Mathematics. Or Or |
| 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: 40 Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 60 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Develop and ensure implementation of basic mine ventilation systems and occupational hygiene programmes.
2. Observe and monitor the implementation of mine specific mine environmental control requirements. 3. Initiate corrective action to improve the mine ventilation and occupational hygiene systems and functions. 4. Oversee the mine environmental control function for a designated area of a mine. 5. Troubleshoot the possible root causes analysis of poor performing ventilation systems. 6. Communicate effectively. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Develop and ensure implementation of basic mine ventilation systems and occupational hygiene programmes Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO 2: Observe and monitor the implementation of mine specific mine environmental control requirements Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: ELO 3: Initiate corrective action to improve the mine ventilation and occupational hygiene systems and functions Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: ELO 4: Oversee the mine environmental control function for a designated area of a mine Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: ELO 5: Troubleshoot the possible root causes analysis of poor performing ventilation systems Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: ELO 6: Communicate effectively Integrated Assessment: Integrated Formative Assessment: 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 Assessment: Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, part-qualification or occupational skills programme, 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 programme. 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 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. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| Zimbabwe and Australia were used as reference points. Due to the legislative requirements and the collaboration of the Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa, similar practices will be found in most countries where mining is conducted.
Zimbabwe: The Zimbabwe School of Mines offers a National Diploma in Mine Ventilation and Environmental Engineering. This course is offered over 3080 hours. Entry into the qualification is 5 O-levels including English, Mathematics and Science. Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to: Similarities: Outcomes covered in the Zimbabwean National Diploma in Mine Ventilation and Environmental Engineering qualification are also covered in the South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Officer qualification. Differences: The South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Officer qualification covers a broader scope which include amongst others, emergency preparedness and response, operations supervision, completing performance management of Mine Environmental Control Observers and overseeing the compilation and submission of mine ventilation reports for a designated area of the mine. The South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Officer qualification by virtue of its credit value, is offered over 1386 hours whilst the Zimbabwean' National Diploma in Mine Ventilation and Environmental Engineering qualification is offered over 3080 hours. To enter the South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Officer qualification, learners must have completed a South African NQF Level 3 qualification with communication and mathematics and an NQF Level 3 Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician: Mine Ventilation Observer NQF Level 3 or an Intermediate Occupational Certificate Mine Environmental Control Observer, NQF Level 3. With the Zimbabwean National Diploma in Mine Ventilation and Environmental Engineering, learners must have completed 5 O-levels, including English, Mathematics, and Science. Australia: The RII50920 Diploma of Underground Coal Mining Management was found to have covered mine ventilation competencies similar to those covered in the South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer qualification. The qualification is offered by a few providers, amongst them are Harris Group (Australia) Pty Limited and Heumillers Enterprises Pty Ltd. Entry into the qualification is open. The qualification can be offered over a period of 1 year, depending on the individual learner's progress. The qualification comprises 12 units. Nine are core and, three are electives from 3 different groupings. Learners can choose any from each grouping. Core units are listed below: Group A Group B Group C Similarities: The core units listed below are covered in the South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer qualification. Elective units that are also covered in the South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer qualification include amongst others, the following: Group B Group C Differences: The South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer qualification is aimed at addressing technical competencies needed for one to fully operate as the Mine Environmental Control Officer whilst with the Australian qualification, ventilation competencies are elective units in the Diploma of Underground Coal Mining Management qualification. The South African National Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Officer qualification comprises knowledge modules, practical skills modules, and work experience modules whilst the Diploma of Underground Coal Mining Management qualification comprises core units and elective units. Conclusion: The learning programmes, qualifications, and regulatory practices in the two countries reviewed are significantly similar to the South African context, and this National Occupational Certificate compares favourably with these international qualifications. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for the following articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal Articulation: Higher Certificate in Business Management in Risk Management, NQF Level 5. |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A. |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A. |
| NOTES |
| 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: OR Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers: Encompassed Trade: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP): |
| 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. |