Miner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Miner. A Miner takes charge of work teams in a section of workings of a mine and directly supervises, monitors, coordinates, inspects, communicates with, engages with and consults personnel, and records the activities of production operations; effectively and safely; is responsible and accountable for ensuring safety and realising optimum infrastructure, plant, machine and equipment performance, availability and production requirements for a section of workings of a mine; in accordance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements. A qualifying learner will know and be able to oversee, apply, exercise, and ensure 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; conduct blasting operations; troubleshoot and address problems critically; work ergonomically; react to events in time-critical environments; and supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations. A qualified learner will be able to: • Oversee, apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and procedures for mining operations. • Conduct blasting operations. • Supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations. • Troubleshoot; identify and address mining-related problems. • Solve problems in respect of mining operations, ventilation, mining health and safety. • Demonstrate the ability to maintain independent learning and continuous improvement. • Communicate effectively and professionally in respect of technical and practical mine operations.

The Miner's appointment is prescribed and required 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, Miners 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. There is presently no qualification that trains and prepares learners for skills and competencies requisite for a miner's work. Typical learners for this qualification will be anyone in possession of an appropriate NQF Level 1 qualification; mine workers with appropriate experience seeking to advance their credentials or careers will also benefit from this qualification. Learners trained towards this qualification will have a choice to choose between its two options of specialisation; these options or specialisations will also allow learners to articulate horizontally with the qualification to diversify their skills. The typical learning pathway in mining production operations would be to begin with an occupational qualification at NQF Level 1 or 2, proceed to Miner at NQF Level 3, then Shift Supervisor, at NQF Level 4, Mine Overseer at NQF Level 5 and Mine Manager at NQF Level 7. 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 and 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 the 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Gain Access Through RPL Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. Exemption from Modules Through RPL Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external summative assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematics and English.

• Oversee, apply, exercise, and ensure safety, health and environmental measures and procedures.
• Conduct blasting operations.
• Supervise, monitor, and coordinate production operations.
• Troubleshoot.
• Communicate effectively.