Advanced Occupational Diploma: Mine Manager
Purpose:
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Advanced Occupational Dip
Credits
460
Sub-framework
OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
0
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
Development Quality Partner - MQA
Quality assurance functionary
-
Field
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
Subfield
Engineering and Related Design
Qual class
Regular-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2022-11-22
Registration end
2027-11-22
Last date for enrolment
2028-11-22
Last date for achievement
2031-11-22
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Mine Manager.
A Mine Manager
- plans, leads, organises, directs, monitors, controls, and coordinates broad, specialised, complex, diverse and technical mining operations, in familiar or unfamiliar terrain, for a designated section of an underground hard rock, underground coal or surface mine.
- is responsible and accountable for optimisation, integration and alignment of the business operations, including strategic areas and initiating activities, the setting of work systems to enhance effectiveness.
- demonstrates self-directed application of theoretical and technical knowledge and initiates solutions to technical problems or management requirements, addresses problems critically, deals with pressure from unexpected circumstances.
- develops and maintains conducive relationships with relevant stakeholders and applies, exercises and ensures statutory, regulatory and organisational compliance, particularly occupational health, safety, and environmental requirements.
The curriculum will be contextualised to the class and type of mine; the mineral being extracted; the type of mineral deposit; the mining methods employed; and the system used to extract and transport rock. The three contexts will be underground hard rock or metalliferous, underground coal or surface mining.
A qualified learner will be able to
- Co-design, develop and update effective mine designs, layouts, and plans.
- Manage production operations.
- Manage operational risks.
- Apply, exercise, and ensure statutory, regulatory, and organisational compliance, particularly occupational health, safety, and environmental requirements.
- Communicate effectively.
- Comprehend and apply ethical principles by exercising professional ethics, responsibilities, and norms of mining practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain independent learning.
Rationale
The Mine Manager's appointment is prescribed 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, Mine Managers 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. However, an occupational qualification has not been developed before, so there is a need in the sector for this qualification.
Typical learners for this qualification will be experienced in Mine Overseer operations. Learners registering for this qualification will typically be working within the mining industry in a particular context. This qualification has three contexts for learners to follow. It will be possible for learners to articulate between the respective contexts.
A 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 standards, compliance and health and safety of the mining sector and general growth of the country's economy.
Entry requirements and RPL
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
- Occupational Certificate: Mine Overseer, NQF Level 5.
Replacement note
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills, and Work Experience Modules.
Knowledge Modules
- 132201-001-00-KM-01, Mine Geology, Level 6, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-KM-02, Mine Survey, Level 6, 40 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-KM-03, Engineering, Level 6, 40 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-KM-04, Mining Engineering and Technical Services, Level 7, 48 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-KM-05, Statutory and Regulatory, Level 7, 30 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-KM-06, Operations Management and Business Administration, Level 7, 30 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 204
Practical Skill Modules
- 132201-001-00-PM-01, Interpret and Analyse Mineral Reserve Data, Mine Designs, Layouts, and Plans; Select Appropriate Mining Methods and Layouts; and Participate in the Development of a Production Strategy and Asset Utilisation Programme, Level 7, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-02, Manage the Planning Processes and Cycles to Optimise the Integration of the Plan for a Designated Area of the Mine, Level 6, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-03, Develop and Manage Financial Budgets to Execute the Mine Plan, Level 7,
16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-04, Manage Mine Resources, Level 7, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-05, Manage Production Operations, Level 7, 24 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-06, Manage Operational Risks, Level 7, 24 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-07, Apply, Exercise, and Ensure Statutory, Regulatory, and Organisational Compliance, Level 7, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-PM-08, Production, Technical Services, and Engineering, Level 7, 20 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 148
Work Experience Modules
Elective Modules 1: Metalliferous - 108 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-01 Underground Hard Rock Mine Production Operations, Miner, Level 3, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-02 Underground Hardrock Mine Production Operations, Shift Overseer, Level 4,
24 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-03, Underground Hardrock Mine Production Operations, Mine Overseer, Level 5,
32 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-04 Underground Hardrock Mine Production Operations, Section Manager, Level 7,
36 Credits.
Elective Modules 2: Underground Coal Mining - 108 Credits
- 132201-001-00-WM-05, Underground Coal Production Operations, Miner, Level 3, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-06, Underground Coal Production Operations, Shift Overseer, Level 4, 24 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-07, Underground Coal Production Operations, Mine Overseer, Level 5, 32 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-08, Underground Coal Production Operations, Section Manager, Level 7, 36 credits.
Elective Modules 3: Surface Mining - 108 Credits
- 132201-001-00-WM-09, Surface Mine Production Operations, Blaster, Level 3, 16 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-10, Surface Mine Production Operations, Shift Overseer, Level 4, 24 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-11, Surface Mine Production Operations, Mine Overseer, Level 5, 32 Credits.
- 132201-001-00-WM-12, Surface Mine Production Operations, Section Manager, Level 7, 36 credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules 108
Exit level outcomes
- Co-design, develop and update effective mine layouts and plans.
- Manage production operations.
- Manage operational risks.
- Apply, exercise and ensure statutory, regulatory and organisational compliance.
- Communicate effectively.
- Comprehend and apply ethical principles by exercising professional ethics, responsibilities, and norms of mining practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain independent learning.
Associated assessment criteria
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Apply an integrated knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of problem solving, mining engineering, geology, rock/ geotechnical engineering, mine survey, design and planning, resource, project and change management.
- Interpret, critically analyse and define the mineral reserve.
- Identify and select the appropriate mine design criteria.
- Select the mining methods.
- Develop and update the mine layout.
- Identify, critically analyse, and define production criteria.
- Co-design, develop, and update the mine plans.
- Review and update the budgets.
- Apply resource management.
- Apply project management.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Apply an integrated knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of problem solving, project, change, production, and business management.
- Develop the production strategy and asset utilisation programmes, using principles and techniques of production and business management.
- Translate the mine plan into a financial budget.
- Critically analyse costs and develop cost control measures.
- Critically analyse production processes and identify constraints that impact on quality, time, and cost.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Apply an integrated knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of problem solving, risk, project and change management, and hazard identification and risk assessment.
- Critically analyse risk assessments and develop a risk profile.
- Update risk assessments.
- Update risk management measures.
- Review and update policies, procedures, codes of practice and standards.
- Recognise the foreseeable effects of mining activities.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Apply an integrated knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, processes and techniques of problem solving, statutory, regulatory and organisational compliance.
- Ensure compliance with designs and plans.
- Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements.
- Ensure organisational statutory and legal compliance.
- Ensure compliance with organisational requirements.
- Ensure compliance with legal appointments.
- Exercise inspections and over-inspections.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Use appropriate structure, style, and language.
- Use appropriate and effective visual aids.
- Effective communication.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
- Describe ethical issues.
- Apply ethical reasoning, to evaluate engineering, mining, production, and business solutions.
- Maintain Continued competence, by keeping up to date with new and emerging technology and practice.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
- Follow learning, individually and in small groups.
- Develop learning requirements.
- Comprehend and practice learning acquired.
Integrated Assessment
Integrated Formative Assessment
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.
Integrated Summative Assessment
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.
The assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP within a period of 1 day.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation
- Occupational Certificate: Geotechnical Practitioner, NQF Level 7.
- Occupational Certificate: Mine Environmental Control Supervisor, NQF Level 7.
Vertical Articulation
- Postgraduate Diploma in Management, NQF Level 8.
NOTES
Qualifying for External Assessment
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes.
Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements
Physical requirements
Meet legal, health and medical requirements.
Legal requirements
Meet all organisation and legal requirements to enter the training programme.
To be appointed as a Mine Manager on a mine, the holder of this qualification would have to meet requirements of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.
The curriculum title and code are: Mining Manager, 132201-001-00-00.
Encompassed Trades
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD
- This is not a trade qualification.
Assessment Quality Partner
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA).
International comparability
Australia
The qualifications and legal requirements are different for metalliferous, coal and surface mining.
Australia: RII60115 Advanced Diploma of Metalliferous Mining, which reflects the role of open-cut or underground metalliferous mine managers who perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical; and include strategic areas and initiating activities. They are required to demonstrate self-directed application of theoretical and technical knowledge and initiate solutions to technical problems or management requirements and includes units as follows: manage knowledge and information; provide leadership across the organisation; manage innovation and continuous improvement; develop and implement strategic plans; develop and implement a business plan; direct procurement and contracting for a project program; conduct business negotiations; establish and evaluate operational performance management systems; manage decision making process; resource site plans and objectives; provide supervision in the leadership of diverse work teams; manage group processes; establish, implement and maintain operational management plans; establish and maintain a blasting system; establish and maintain the environmental management system; establish and maintain mine emergency preparedness and response systems; establish, maintain and develop a statutory compliance management system; establish and maintain the site infrastructure and fixed plant systems; establish and maintain the risk management system; establish and maintain mine services systems; establish and maintain the work health and safety management system; establish and maintain surface mining ground control and slope stability systems; establish and maintain surface product haulage and transport systems; establish and maintain underground mining ground control and stable mining systems; establish and maintain underground product haulage and transport systems; establish and maintain the ventilation management system; establish and maintain mine closure management systems; manage and coordinate spill response; establish and maintain plant, equipment and infrastructure maintenance system; establish and maintain the stockpile management system; establish and maintain waste and by-product management system; establish and maintain water management system.
Australia: RII60315 Advanced Diploma of Underground Coal Mining Management, reflects the role of mine managers who perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical and include strategic areas and initiating activities. They are required to demonstrate self-directed application of theoretical and technical knowledge and initiate solutions to technical problems or management requirements and includes units as follows: manage budgets and financial plans; manage knowledge and information; provide leadership across the organisation; manage innovation and continuous improvement; develop and implement strategic plans; develop and implement a business plan; direct procurement and contracting for a project program; conduct business negotiations; support underground shot firing operations; conduct shot firing operations in underground coal mines; establish and maintain the environmental management system; establish and maintain underground coal mine emergency preparedness and response systems; establish, maintain and develop a statutory compliance management system; provide leadership in the supervision of diverse work teams; establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan; establish and maintain the gas management system; establish and maintain the gas drainage management plan; establish and maintain the outburst management plan; establish and maintain the inrush management plan; establish and maintain the mining method and strata management systems; establish and maintain mine transport systems and production equipment; establish and maintain mine services and infrastructure systems; manage and coordinate spill response; establish and maintain the risk management system; establish and maintain the ventilation management system; manage, operate and maintain the mine ventilation system; establish and maintain the workplace health and safety management system; incorporate health and hygiene factors into mine management.
Australia: RII60715 Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management, which reflects the role of open cut coal mine managers who perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical and include strategic areas and initiating activities. They are required to demonstrate self-directed application of theoretical and technical knowledge and initiate solutions to technical problems or management requirements; and include strategic areas and initiating activities: manage knowledge and information; provide leadership across the organisation; manage innovation and continuous improvement; develop and implement strategic plans; develop and implement a business plan; direct procurement and contracting for a project program; conduct business negotiations; establish and evaluate operational performance management systems; manage decision making process; resource site plans and objectives; provide supervision in the leadership of diverse work teams; manage group processes; establish, implement and maintain operational management plans; establish and maintain a blasting system; establish and maintain the environmental management system; establish and maintain mine emergency preparedness and response systems; establish, maintain and develop a statutory compliance management system; establish and maintain the site infrastructure and fixed plant systems; establish and maintain the risk management system; establish and maintain mine services systems; establish and maintain the work health and safety management system; establish and maintain surface mining ground control and slope stability systems; establish and maintain surface product haulage and transport systems; establish and maintain underground mining ground control and stable mining systems; establish and maintain underground product haulage and transport systems; establish and maintain the ventilation management system; establish and maintain mine closure management systems; manage and coordinate spill response; establish and maintain plant, equipment and infrastructure maintenance system; establish and maintain the stockpile management system; establish and maintain waste and by-product management system; establish and maintain water management system.
Legal requirements, Australia: The Chief Inspector of Mines from the Department of Energy and Mining (DEM) has the responsibility for assessing applications for underground mine and quarry manager's certificates, under the provisions of the Mines and Works Inspection Regulations 2013. All applicants require a minimum 3 (three) years relevant underground (for underground mines) or quarrying (for above ground quarries) experience to apply for a certificate, with at least 1 (one) years' worth of relevant "hands-on" experience out of the total three (3) years required. An applicant must also be at least 25 years of age. Evidence of supervisory experience is also required. Any mining or quarrying operation that employs 20 or more persons will require a manager to hold a First-Class certificate. A degree or diploma in mining engineering or equivalent is required for First Class certificates (refer to the Regulations and Guidelines). A mining law examination is also required to be passed. Applicants who do not have the relevant degree or diploma may be eligible to apply for a Second-Class certificate which will only allow for the management of operations where up to 19 persons are employed (refer to the Regulations and Guidelines). There are four examinations required to be passed to obtain a Second-Class quarry manager's certificate (Quarrying, Explosives, Quarry Machinery and Mathematics). A mining law examination is also required to be passed after the four examinations above have been successfully passed. The Chief Inspector of Mines recognises that the Training.gov.au Rll Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package (RIITP) provides an endorsed framework for assessment of units of competency for the resources industry which is consistent with the nationally recognised Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The Chief Inspector of Mines may consider an applicant sufficiently qualified in the examination subjects of Quarrying, Quarry Machinery and Mathematics, if the applicant can demonstrate they have attained a Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations (R1140115 or R1150115), and that in the course of obtaining this qualification they have completed the units of competency of: RilMEX401D Apply pit plan, RIlMP0401D Supervise mobile plant operations, RIlPR0401D Supervise processing operations and BSBMGT402D Implement operational plan. The Chief Inspector of Mines may consider an applicant sufficiently qualified in the examination subject of Blasting, if the applicant can demonstrate they have attained a Certificate IV of the RIITP and that while obtaining this qualification, they have completed the units of competency of: RlIBLA301D Conduct surface shot firing operations, or RlIBLA401D Manage blasting operations. The law examination covers the following legislation: Mines and Works Inspection Act 1920, 30.10.2014 Mines and Works Inspection Regulations 2013, Work Health and Safety Act 2012, Chapter 10 Work Health and Safety Act 2012, Explosives Regulations 201 1, Chapter 10 Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012, and Chapter 10 U/G Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (for underground only)
The main difference is that Australia's qualifications and legal requirements are different for metalliferous, coal and surface mining while South Africa's consolidates all three into one qualification.
The similarity is the coverage and requirements of legal and health and safety regulations by both Australia's and South Africa's qualifications. The training, development, experience, statutory and regulatory requirements for the Mining Manager are very similar to this qualification.
New Zealand
To qualify as a Mine Manager in New Zealand, a person must be the holder of a valid first aid certificate and must
- Complete a total of 39 unit standards, with 425 credits.
- Have practical work experience.
- Sit an oral examination.
The entry requirement is that "one must be employed full-time in the mining or quarrying industry in a role which enables one to meet the outcomes of the qualification".
The learning pathway to be eligible for appointment as a Mine Manager is
- National Certificate in Extractive Industries (Mining Administration Surface Extraction B Grade), Level 5, 72 credits
- The National Certificate in Extractive Industries (Mining Administration Surface Extraction A Grade), Level 5, 106 credits
- Plus, a further twenty unit standards, at level 5 and level 6, giving a total of 425 credits. These unit standards are offered by different training providers and are taken as individual unit standards, not as qualifications
Training providers for these certificates include MITO (Mining Industry Training Organisation)
In terms of content, training towards the Mine Manager occupation include modules and unit standards which cover
- regulatory requirements
- safety checks and plans
- site construction and maintenance
- extraction sites
- environmental impacts
- extractive site management
- planning
- inspecting
- reporting on extractive site operations
The similarity is the coverage and requirements of legal, health and safety regulations by both the New Zealand and South Africa's qualifications. The training, development, experience, statutory and regulatory requirements for the Mining Manager are also similar in both these countries.
The main difference is that the South Africa's occupational qualification is offered as one qualification covering three mining contexts - Underground Coal; Metalliferous; and Surface Mining operations where learners choose to focus on any one of the three choices. In New Zealand however, the training route requires different certificates and a combination of independent unit standards. Another notable difference is that in New Zealand; in terms of entry requirements, prospective trainees need to be full-time workers in the mining and quarrying industry in roles or occupations which are in line with the technical mining operations. With this occupational qualification however, the entry requirement is an NQF Level 5 Miner Overseer's qualification.
European best practices
In terms of international best practices, this qualification has been compared to the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) which is the multilingual classification, across all the 27-member countries of the European Union (EU) and several other participating countries, for Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations and is part of the Europe 2020 strategy.
The ESCO classification for Mine Manager, which is the same as the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO), includes Essential Skills and Competences for Mine Manager as follows: Address problems critically, assess operating cost, communicate on minerals issues, communicate on the environmental impact of mining, deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances, develop health and safety strategies in mining, ensure compliance with safety legislation, ensure mining records are maintained, evaluate mine development projects, forecast organisational risks, identify process improvements, interface with anti-mining lobbyists, manage commercial risks, manage emergency procedures, manage mining plant equipment, manage staff, monitor mine production, optimise financial performance, oversee mine planning activities, present reports, show social competences, supervise staff, think proactively, and use a computer.
Essential Knowledge includes: Electricity; impact of geological factors on mining operations, mine safety legislation and mining engineering.
Optional Skills and Competencies include: Apply transportation management concepts, investigate mine accidents, maintain relationships with stakeholders, prepare technical reports, troubleshoot, communicate on minerals issues, prepare technical reports, and train mine personnel.
Optional Knowledge includes: Economics, electrical engineering, geology, health and safety hazards underground, and mechanical engineering.
So, in terms of articulation, this qualification would be eligible for acceptance by ESCO and the EU; the articulation possibilities, for persons achieving this qualification as a Mine Manager, are that they would have achieved the qualification standards required by any of the EU and other participating countries.
Conclusion
Based on the comparison above of the programmes available and competencies required, the conclusion is that the Occupational Certificate: Mining Operations Manager compares equivalently with the Australia and New Zealand's qualifications, as well as with the European Union's best practices for the mine manager's occupation.
Providers currently listed
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No provider listing was captured on this qualification record.
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