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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Mineral Processing, Gold Extraction 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49044  National Certificate: Mineral Processing, Gold Extraction 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  124  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0160/05  2007-10-30  2008-08-20 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-08-20   2012-08-20  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
62769  National Certificate: Mineral Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  130  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This qualification is aimed at persons who work or intend to work within a gold extraction plant and who seek recognition for essential skills in this area.

The key skills, knowledge and understanding reflected in this qualification are that of conducting the essential operations associated with efficient and safe operation of a Gold Extraction plant. This qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible and empowers the learner to acquire and demonstrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to work safely and effectively in a Gold Extraction plant.

It is intended that qualifying learners are able to:
  • Communicate effectively in the workplace and a variety of other contexts
  • Communicate effectively in the workplace and a variety of other contexts in a second language.
  • Apply mathematical principles in practical applications
  • Sustain Health and Safety in the workplace.
  • Control gold extraction processes
  • Maintain equipment

    Rationale

    Gold Extraction focuses on milling, leaching with cyanide, extraction or precipitation and pyro-metallurgical recovery and/or refining of the gold.

    This is the second qualification in a learning pathway designed for learners in the mining and minerals sector who want to follow a career in Gold Extraction in the areas of crushing, milling, leaching with cyanide, extraction or precipitation and pyro-metallurgical recovery and/or refining of the gold. The learning pathway commences with the National Certificate in Mineral Processing: NQF level 2 and progresses to NQF level 4 for candidates learning and working in a Gold Extraction plant. The qualification reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding required to function effectively within a Gold Extraction plant/metallurgical plant.

    Gold Extraction operations require a sound knowledge of process control of crushing, milling, leaching, precipitation or extraction and smelting. The mining sector put emphasis on safety and a healthy working environment within the Gold Extraction plant/metallurgical plant. Workers are appointed based on their technical knowledge, experience and potential supervisory ability.

    This qualification will enhance the status, productivity and employability of the learner within the Mining and Minerals industry as well as contribute to the quality, production rate and growth. This allows for access, progression, portability and mobility within and between the different Mineral processing areas in the Mining and Minerals industry.

    In the Mining and Minerals sector, employees are appointed on technical knowledge (operations), experience and potential supervisory ability. It is therefore assumed that learners attempting this qualification are competent in numeric and communication skills and/or technically competent on a specific aspect of metallurgical operations or related fabrication and extraction field.

    The National Certificate in Gold Extraction (L3) is designed to meet the needs of learners in the Mining and Minerals sector (or those who wish to enter the Mining and Minerals sector) who require technical expertise and essential knowledge needed to earn a formal qualification in mineral operations. The qualification facilitates access from previously disadvantaged groups and other learners to acquire the technical knowledge and skills that are required.
    The qualification adds value to a learner, enriches the learner by giving the learner status, recognition, licensing and improves their marketability and employability. The qualification opens access to additional learning at NQF level 4 in Mineral processing or Metallurgy.

    The National Certificate in Gold Extraction: NQF Level 3 provides benefit to society and economy through enhanced citizenship, increasing social and economic productivity, providing specifically skilled people and transforming and redressing the legacies of inequity. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that candidates embarking on learning towards this qualification are already competent in the following areas:
  • SAQA level 2 national certificate in mineral processing (gold extraction) or equivalent qualification.

    Recognition of Prior Learning

    This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through recognition of prior learning in terms of the criteria laid out in item 12 above.

    Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

    All such evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment described in the note to assessors. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Rules of Combination

    Fundamental
  • 20 Communications credits from the list specified
  • 16 Mathematics credits from the list specified

    Core
  • 29 credits from the list specified
    The unit standards in the core cover the main generic skills and knowledge required by people working in the Gold Extraction Plant.

    Elective

    A total of 59 credits (minimum) to be obtained for this qualification from the list specified in annexure C, which must include those for competencies, required at the applicable workplace, not yet represented in the core.

    Summary of credit composition

    Fundamental - Core - Elective - Total
    Level 3 - 36 - 29 - 59 - 124

    Motivation for allocation of credits
  • Due to the different process options employed in the Gold Extraction plants, it is not possible to include the credits towards such processes in the common core and provision is therefore made in the electives for these.
  • A minimum of credits are required to complete the qualification.

    Motivation for the Level of the Qualification
  • More than 72 credits towards unit standards included in this qualification are at level 3 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate and solve problems in a variety of ways
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of how to control a Gold Extraction process and an ability to meet safety, health and environmental specifications
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of how to oversee a thickening process in a gold extraction plant.
    4. Leach gold in a Gold Extraction process
    5. Maintain belt conveyor components.

    Critical cross field outcomes

    This qualification addresses the following critical cross-field outcomes. The way in which the critical cross-field outcomes are addressed is presented in detail in the unit standards outlined in the Annexures.

    Consistency of exit level outcomes with critical crossfield outcomes

    1. Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical thinking have been made.
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes

    2. Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization and community.
    Relates to the following Exit level outcomes:
  • Communicate and solve problems in a variety of ways
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to oversee a thickening process in a gold extraction plant
  • Maintain belt conveyor components

    3. Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes

    4. Collecting, analyzing, organizing and critically evaluating information.
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes

    5. Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes

    6. Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility toward the environment and health of others
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes

    7. Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem contexts do not exist in isolation
    Relates to the following Exit level outcomes:
  • Communicate and solve problems in a variety of ways

    8. Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it an underlying intention of the programme of learning to make an individual aware of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of contexts
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes
  • Exploring education and career opportunities
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities
    Relates to all Exit level outcomes

    Learning programmes directed towards this qualification will also contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making individuals aware of the importance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts
  • Exploring education and career opportunities; and developing entrepreneurial opportunities 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. > Oral and written communication is successfully engaged in a business environment
  • Problems are understood and solved to indicate critical and creative thinking
  • Business principles are understood and applied as they apply to a business environment

    2. > The process is monitored and controlled according to Gold Extraction specifications
  • A clean and safe work environment is maintained
  • Problems relating to the Gold Extraction process are solved using sector acceptable procedures

    3. > The process is monitored and controlled according to Gold Extraction specifications
  • A clean and safe work environment is maintained
  • Problems relating to the Gold Extraction process are solved using sector acceptable procedures

    4. > Gold is leached according to Gold Extraction specifications
  • Problems relating to the leaching process are solved using sector acceptable procedures

    5. > Conveyor components are maintained according to specified requirements.
  • Problems relating to belt conveyor maintenance are solved using sector acceptable procedures

    Integrated Assessment

    Integrated assessment provides a requirement for learners to display an ability to integrate practical performance, actions, concepts and theory across unit standards to achieve competence in relation to the purpose of this qualification. For award of the qualification, a candidate must achieve each unit standard as per item 12 above.

    The applied competence (practical, foundational and reflexive competencies) of this qualification will be achieved if a candidate is able to achieve all the exit level outcomes of this qualification.

    Identifying and solving of problems, working in a team work, organising one-self, using applied science and implication of actions and reactions in the world as a set of related systems must be assessed during any combination of practical, foundational and reflexive competencies assessment methods and tools to determine the whole person development and integration of applied knowledge and skills.

    Applicable assessment tool(s) to establish the foundational, reflexive and embedded knowledge to problem solving and application of the world as a set of related systems within the manufacturing and maintenance field.
    A detailed portfolio of evidence is required to prove practical, applied and foundational competencies of the learner.
    Assessors and moderators should develop and conduct their own integrated assessment by making use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
    Unit standards in the qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field outcomes. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflexive competencies.

    To qualify, a candidate must achieve the combination of unit standards defined for each exit level outcome as per the given rules of combination. The assessment criteria for each unit standard are defined within each unit standard. Integration of skills will be demonstrated through the achievement of the core decorating standards.

    Assessment should be in accordance with the following general and specific principles:

    The initial assessment activities should focus on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcomes expressed in the titles of the unit standards to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then the assessment can focus on each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes. Take special note of the need for integrated assessment.

    Evidence must be gathered across the entire range specified in each unit standard, as applicable. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-players are used, there should be supporting evidence to prove that the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.

    All assessments should be conducted in accordance with the following universally accepted principles of assessment: use appropriate, fair manageable methods, that are integrated into real work or learning situations; judge evidence on the basis of its validity, currency, authenticity and sufficiency; ensure assessment processes are systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    National Qualification sites on the Internet were explored in order to find qualifications related to Gold Extraction.
  • Australia: National Training Information Services (www.ntis.gov.au) MNM 20203 certificate II in metallurgical mining operations.
  • New Zealand: The New Zealand Qualification Authority (www.nzqa.govt.nz) Extractive metallurgical processes Metalliferous gold
  • Scotland: The Scottish Qualification Authority (www.sqa.org.uk)
  • USA: The Quality Assurance System of Higher Education (www.cqaie.org.us)

    In New Zealand separate Gold and Alluvial Gold qualifications were found.

    This proposed Gold Extraction qualification is much more generic since it incorporates all gold recovery processes. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification allows for both horizontal (persons with qualifications at the same or higher levels can pursue this qualification for career orientation) and vertical (persons completing this qualification can proceed to a relevant National Certificate: Mineral Processing/Metallurgy NQF Level 4). The fundamental unit standards should give the learner access to any qualification at NQF level 4, subject to entry requirements of the individual provider offering such learning. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

    Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQAs policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.

    Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards, exit level outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

    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 ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • To be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    The assessor must have completed:
  • A similar qualification or from the same family of qualifications, at or above the level of the qualification.

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments:

    1. Focus the initial assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcomes expressed in the titles of the unit standards to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. The aim is to declare the person competent in terms of the qualification purpose. Where assessment at across titles or at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes. Take special note of the need for integrated assessment.
    2. Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.

    All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment as defined below:
    Principles of assessment:
  • Appropriate: The method of assessment is suited to the performance being assessed.
  • Fair: The method of assessment does not present any barriers to achievements, which are not related to the evidence. In particular, the method of assessment is sensitive to language diversity.
  • Manageable: The methods used make for easily arranged, cost-effective assessments that do not unduly interfere with learning.
  • Integrated into work or learning: Evidence collection is integrated into the work or learning process where this is appropriate and feasible.
  • Valid: The assessment focuses on the requirements laid down in the Standard; i.e. the assessment is fit for purpose.
  • Direct: The activities in the assessment mirror the conditions of actual performance as closely as possible
  • Authentic: The assessor is satisfied that the work being assessed is attributable to the person being assessed.
  • Sufficient: The evidence collected establishes that all criteria have been met and that performance to the required Standard can be repeated consistently.
  • Systematic: Planning and recording is sufficiently rigorous to ensure that assessment is fair.
  • Open: Learners can contribute to the planning and accumulation of evidence. Assessment candidates understand the assessment process and the criteria that apply.
  • Consistent: The same assessor would make the same judgement again in similar circumstances. The judgement made is similar to the judgement that would be made by other assessors. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 62769, which is "National Certificate: Mineral Processing", Level 3, 130 credits.

    Range Statements

    The unit standards provide the details of the ranges within which candidates are required to perform 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  12483  Perform basic first aid  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  114951  Describe how to manage substance abuse and addiction in the workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  9574  Maintain belt conveyor components  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  14798  Respond to hazardous conditions or emergencies  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Core  14986  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fire exposures in order to manage the potential fire risk  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  14993  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Mines Health and Safety Act, (Act 29 of 1996) and its application  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  10538  Adsorb dissolved gold onto activated carbon  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  9726  Construct a tailing dam catwalk  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  9721  Crush material by means of a cone-type crusher  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  9562  Crush material by means of an impact-type crusher  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  110443  De-aerate a solution by means of Crowe tower  Level 3  NQF Level 03  12 
    Elective  9734  Demonstrate the fundamentals of tailings dams - Level one  Level 3  NQF Level 03  18 
    Elective  9727  Deposit tailings onto a paddock-type dam  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  9729  Deposit tailings onto a spigot-type dam  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  9730  Deposit tailings onto tailings dam by means of cycloning  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  9725  Elute gold from loaded carbon  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  9586  Extract a metal from a solution by means of solvent extraction  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  9717  Grind material by means of a ball mill  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Elective  9719  Grind material by means of a rod mill  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Elective  9720  Grind material by means of a run of mine ore mill  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Elective  15294  Leach gold from a gravity concentrate by means of an inline leach reactor  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  10547  Leach gold-bearing material by means of chlorine  Level 3  NQF Level 03  9 
    Elective  10537  Leach metal bearing material by means of heap leaching  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  10536  Leach metal bearing material in a pressure vessel  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  9731  Maintain routine tailings dam performance records  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  15302  Make-up a cyanide solution in a metallurgical plant  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  9736  Mine fine granular material by means of hydraulic monitoring  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
    Elective  9733  Monitor tailings dam technical performance parameters  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  9587  Produce bullion by means of a furnace  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  9739  Regenerate carbon by means of a rotary kiln  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  9570  Reline a mill  Level 3  NQF Level 03  12 
    Elective  110445  Reline a mill by means of a hydraulic relining machine  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  9575  Replace conveyor belting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  11061  Separate material by means of conventional cell froth flotation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.