Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Mineral Processor Hydrometallurgy)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Mineral Processor - Hydrometallurgy. A Mineral Processor - Hydrometallurgy operates, monitors and controls the operational efficiency of a mineral processing plant, physically and from a control room. A qualified learner will be able to: • Monitor and control the hydrometallurgical processes.

South Africa has been a resource economy for a period in excess of a century. However, a considerable amount of South Africa's mineral resources are exported as raw ores or only partially processed. Although South Africa has steadily improved its ratio of beneficiated to primary products exported since the 1970s, these ratios are still well below the potential suggested by the quality and quantity of its mineral resources endowment. The Government's industrialisation policy calls for a paradigm shift in mineral development, strategic investment in assets to maximise long-term growth beneficiation projects, enhance value of exports, increase sources for consumption of local content, and create opportunities for sustainable jobs. Minerals are a vital input to an industrialisation programme, which is intended to accelerate manufacturing in South Africa (for local consumption and export). Competitive access to minerals for local beneficiation is one of the key success factors for the country's industrialisation initiative. Government recently adopted the New Growth Path (NGP), which seeks to create more inclusive economic growth by systematically encouraging more labour absorptive economic activities. The objectives of the NGP are clear and developmental focussed. It set a target of 5 million new jobs by 2020 and identified six priority sectors, focussed on infrastructure and rebuilding the productive sectors of the economy. The NGP identified mineral beneficiation as one of the priority growth nodes for job creation. The qualification is constructed according to the needs expressed by industry and it will provide portability and career opportunities for Process Controllers working in a number of strategically important mining sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated 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 Results or certifying a Work Experience Record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant entry requirements. Entry Requirements: • Occupational Certificate: Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller (Materials Handling).

• Monitor and control Hydrometallurgy mineral beneficiation processes.
• Interpret Hydrometallurgy sample results.
• Identify measuring and monitoring instrumentation on the Hydrometallurgy plant, read and interpret the information and take appropriate corrective action.
• Identify and deal with potential up-and-down-stream implications and problems of the Hydrometallurgy process.