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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Collect precious metals from a fluxed sample into a metal button by means of the fire assay fusion process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256622  Collect precious metals from a fluxed sample into a metal button by means of the fire assay fusion process 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
9745  Collect precious metals from a fluxed sample into a metal button by means of the fire essay fusion process  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people who are required to perform the fusion process for the collection of precious metals

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills and knowledge of performing the fusion process for the collection of precious metals in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to occupational health, safety and the environment.
  • Collect precious metals by means of fusion.
  • De-slag the buttons.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the processes. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Applicable to the fusion of material, containing precious metals, that has already been fluxed. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and skills relating to occupational health, safety and the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the fusion process are identified and explained with reference to occupational health, safety and environmental impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate preventive measures are listed, and applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required personal protective and safety equipment is available, operational, fit for purpose and used in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work is conducted in accordance with occupational health, safety and environmental standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include:
  • Housekeeping.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Storage.
  • Control of heat and fumes.
  • Noise control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to occupational health, safety and impact on the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Collect the precious metals by means of the fusion process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment needed for the process is correctly identified, used and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Tray of crucibles containing fluxed samples.
  • Fusion furnace.
  • Furnace tongs.
  • Iron moulds.
  • Trolleys.
  • Furnace conditions comply with process requirements before loading.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sample trays from the fluxing process are verified according to operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The sample sequence is correctly maintained throughout the process in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of maintaining the prescribed sequence is explained with reference to unique sample identification and the possible loss of samples during fusion. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The fusion is conducted to produce a fluid melt in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The poured fusion is cooled in the mould to result in a sharp interface between the slag and the metal button in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The purpose of the fusion process is explained with reference to the determination of the precious metal content in the original sample. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The basic reactions in the fusion process are explained with reference to the fusion of the gangue materials, the formation of the collector, and the collection of the precious metals. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    De-slag the buttons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment needed for the process is correctly identified, ensured to be in good working order and used in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Hammer.
  • Button tongs.
  • Anvil or de-slagging machine.
  • Button trays.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The sample sequence initiated at the fluxing process is maintained throughout the process and the work is conducted in a manner that ensures continuity throughout the process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The de-slagged buttons are ensured to be free of all visible traces of slag in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effect of non-compliance is explained in terms of the impact on the cupellation process. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Deal with problems relating to the processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effects of time, airflow and temperature deviations and metal entailment in the slag are described with reference to the quality of the melt and the effective collection of the precious metals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The de-slagged buttons are ensured to be free of all visible traces of slag and the effect of non-compliance explained in terms of the impact on the cupellation process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The work is conducted in a manner that supports a smooth flow throughout the process in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to security standards, quality, costs and lost time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems in the system are dealt with according to operational and organizational objectives. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding 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 Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated Unit Standards.
  • 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. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated manner in the unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to collecting precious metals from a fluxed sample:
  • The purpose of the fusion process.
  • The basic principles and methods.
  • Equipment needed for the process.
  • The basic reactions in the fusion process are explained.
  • The importance of maintaining the prescribed sequence is explained.

    Critical factors and functions relating to the process:
  • Safety, health and risk management requirements.
  • Achieving specified production requirements.
  • Emergency procedures.
  • Security requirements.
  • Specified communication requirements.

    Processes and events:
  • Process flow and interlock systems.
  • Factors affecting the performance of the process.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Use of tools and equipment.
  • Condition of safety devices.
  • Utilisation of process equipment and consumables.
  • Workplace hazards and associated risks.
  • Effective communication.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Methods of collecting and analysing, organising, summarising and presenting data.
  • Fault finding and correction technique.
  • Quality related procedures.
  • Operating procedure.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner's ability to work to high levels of accuracy and inconsistency will contribute to the overall performance of the laboratory team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner's ability to follow work procedures closely, adhering meticulously to relevant procedures when collecting precious metals from a fluxed sample. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner's ability to keep accurate records and make accurate entries into the relevant log sheets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner's ability to use and interact with technologically advanced procedures and equipment in a modern laboratory environment when collecting precious metals from a fluxed sample. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is aware that in the mining (refining) industry various systems are dependent on each other, and accepts responsibility in that regard. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 9745, "Collect precious metals from a fluxed sample into a metal button by means of the fire essay fusion process", Level 2, 6 Credits.

    Terminology:

    Legal Requirements:

    Legal requirements are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Relevant legislation: e.g. Mine Health and Safety Act and Minerals Act and Regulations.
  • Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets.

    Site-Specific Requirements:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH and S Risks.
  • Working guide.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.