Mineral Processing Plant Operator (Preparation/ Concentration/ Hydrometallurgy/ Pyrometallurgy)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Mineral Processing Plant Operator. A Mineral Processing Plant Operator carries out the activities to operate, monitor, and control mineral processing plant and equipment operations. The qualifying learner will know the functioning and operating requirements for the plant and equipment to achieve production targets, health, safety environmental and security requirements, and will be able to operate the plant productively and safely. A qualified learner will be able to: • Ensure occupational health, safety, and environmental compliance. • Operate, monitor, and control mineral processing plant and equipment. The qualifying learner will know how to safely operate mineral processing plant. In addition, qualifying learners can advance their learning and careers within the mineral processing plant control operations. Graduate attributes: • Honesty • Integrity • punctuality • Time management • Self-motivation • Responsibility • Accountability • Interpersonal relations • Ethical behaviour • well organised • Self-confidence • Confidentiality

The ever-changing technology and demands exerted by globalisation require the workforce to have the requisite skills that will enable them to operate at the level of their counterparts, globally. "Minerals Processing" refers to the extraction of valuable minerals contained in mined ore and the production of related products, or enriched concentrates, for further processing or sale. Processes employed in the recovery of gold, platinum, uranium, base metals, coal, iron ore, diamonds, manganese etc. are provided for in this qualification. The end products of these processes are metals or metal compounds that can be beneficiated in a wide variety of applications. Recovery rates and cost implications relating to minerals extraction processes must be optimised to ensure the ongoing viability of the producer. Production of these commodities is of tremendous benefit to the economy, as well as society, by way of local and foreign investments and the sale of products. Furthermore, due to innovation in the use of information technology in the mining industry, coupled with the need to comply with statutory and legislative requirements, learners entering this qualification will develop the knowledge and skills required to work in a process plant to monitor and control all the generic raw material and processing equipment - to cope with demands brought about by new technologies as well as statutory and legislative requirements. Currently, there is no registered qualification for Mineral Processing Plant Operators. The need for the development of this qualification was identified during the scoping meeting where the mining and minerals sector's stakeholders expressed a need to develop an NQF Level 3 qualification, that will bridge the gap between a skills programme at NQF Level 2 and the National Occupational Certificate: Minerals Beneficiation Process Controller qualification, which is under review. Society will benefit from the qualification as mineral processing plants are mostly located near rural areas and many previously disadvantaged individuals from the rural areas are employed to work in these plants. This qualification will help improve their employability. This qualification will benefit the mining sector and society as it will equip operating personnel with the technical competencies to be able to work safely and productively; optimise minerals extraction operations and thereby contributing to the stability and growth of the country's economy. Social development and economic transformation are enhanced through efficient mineral extraction and career development and personal job satisfaction of operating personnel is facilitated through the learning process used to achieve the competency specified. Learners registering for this qualification will typically be working within the mining industry or are qualified operators in a particular section within a Mineral Processing Plant. The qualification has various specialisations for learners to follow. It will be possible for learners to articulate between the respective specialisations. The inclusion of the technical-related qualification is to ensure that learners who enrol into this qualification cope with the learning required to complete the qualification. The typical learning pathway in mineral processing and beneficiation operations would be to begin with: • the Skills Programme(s) for Mineral Processing Plant Operators at NQF Level 2. • Control Room Operator, at NQF Level 3 (Optional). • Mineral Processing Plant Operator, at NQF Level 3. • Mineral Beneficiation Process Controller, at NQF Level 4. • Plant/Shift Foreman/Supervisor. • Plant Superintendent. Collaboration with relevant stakeholders: • Workplace Practitioners, • Assessors and moderators, • Private Training Providers, • Skills Development Facilitators and • Curriculum Development Specialists.

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. RPL for exemption from modules 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. 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): 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, part-qualification, or skills programme. 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 2 qualification with Communication and Mathematics. And An NQF Level 2 Plant Operator Skills Programme. Or An NQF Level 2 Mineral Processing qualification

• Apply basic knowledge of health, safety and environmental hazards and risk requirements, and apply health, safety and environmental, and hazard identification and risk assessment processes and procedures.
• Apply basic knowledge and skills of mineral processing, preparation plant and equipment; and operational procedures to operate the mineral processing plant.
• Perform troubleshooting activities in the mineral processing plant.
• Apply communication skills to achieve operational target.