Bachelor of Earth Sciences in Mine Surveying

Purpose

The broad objective of the mine surveying qualification is to develop learners with strong technical knowledge and basic skills and attributes required to practice as professional mine surveyors. The desired skills are those that enable learners to be independent investigators; self-motivated; critical thinkers; problem solvers; life-long learners; good communicators; team players; effective managers; as well as economically, environmentally and socially aware.

The qualification will produce high-calibre learners to meet the demands of the mining industry and address workforce issues, economic and societal needs by intensifying research and increasing opportunities for post-graduate studies.

The Mine Surveying qualification aims to;

• Train mine surveyors to be able to use the various survey instruments in both open pit and underground mines as well tunnelling.
• To develop their skills in mine surveying and acquaint them with the necessary practical exposure so that they will be able to apply the various techniques in the mining industry.
• To train learners to be able to perform all the necessary survey computations and adjustments in the profession.
• To inculcate in learners the basic investigative and analytical skills that will empower them to effectively deal with problems associated with earth systems and to be able to device practical solutions that will advance socio-economic development of the community.
• To enable learners to be able to make appropriate adaptations to existing procedures, techniques and instrumentation in order to solve specific problems.
• To prepare learners for the challenges of research in the field of mine surveying.

Rationale

The role of mine surveyors in the mining industry is of utmost importance yet there are only few mine surveyors in South Africa. Evidence is emerging that the number of mine surveying professionals is declining whilst the demand for surveying services are escalating. This shortage of surveyors coupled with changing expectations presents opportunities for learners. In addition, many of these mine surveyors are approaching their retirement age and this issue needs to be given serious attention. Mine surveyors are in high demand and they are vigorously required to perform all the measuring activities such as the transfer of azimuth from surface to the underground provision of coordinates and elevations, and contouring of the mine areas. Without these activities, there will be no mining.

A new generation of mine surveyors are, therefore, urgently required to play very important roles at the mines. The scarcity of mine surveyors can be addressed by offering an academic qualification in mine surveying and therefore the proposed mine surveying qualification is a step in the right direction.

The mining industry is expanding, and therefore will have an ongoing demand for graduates in mine surveying. Our learners will have opportunities of working in a variety of positions in either local, national or in the international mining industry. Potential employers will include hard rock mining, coal mining and quarrying companies; mineral estate owners; mineral valuations offices; large corporations and local authorities. Some learners will also have the opportunity to work as consultants, surveying and managing mineral estates on behalf of small mining companies or large landowners. Those with experience of mineral extraction will certainly be in demand. The qualification will provide an opportunity for people from different cultural backgrounds to receive a degree that will lead to high paying jobs and exciting, varied and challenging careers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

While general admission requirements are applied, provision is made for flexible RPL entry route within the framework of national guidelines for higher education institutions. This is intended to accommodate students from TVET Colleges, industry and other institutions.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement for Bachelor of Earth Science in Mine Surveying (BESMS) Qualification is

• National Senior Certificate granting access to Degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational NC(V) at NQF Level 4 with relevant subject specialisation.

This qualification comprises modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8, totalling 484 Credits

Modules at NQF Level 5 (108 Credits)

• Plane Surveying 1, 10 Credits.
• Introduction to Geology, 10 Credits.
• The Natural Environment as a System, 10 Credits.
• Plane Surveying 2, 10 Credits.
• Introduction to Mining, 10 Credits.
• Ecological Principles for Environmental Management, 10 Credits.
• Mathematics for Biological, Earth and Life Sciences I, 8 Credits.
• English Communication Skills II, 10 Credits.
• Physics I, 8 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 4 Credits.
• Mathematics for Biological, Earth and life Sciences II, 8 Credits.
• English Communication Skills I, 10 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6 (116 Credits)

• Survey Computations and Adjustments, 10 Credits.
• Environmental Geology, 10 Credits.
• Surface Mine Surveying, 10 Credits.
• The Law of Real Property, 10 Credits.
• Principles of Resource Management, 10 Credits.
• Mathematical Modelling, 10 Credits.
• GIS and Remote Sensing, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Geomechanics, 12 Credits.
• Survey Camp 1, 12 Credits.
• Numerical Analysis, 10 Credits.
• Pollution and Environmental Quality, 10 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7 (130 Credits)

• Engineering Surveying, 12 Credits.
• Engineering Drawing and Design, 12 Credits.
• Underground Mine Surveying, 12 Credits.
• Surface Mining, 12 Credits.
• Resource Evaluation and Information Systems, 15 Credits.
• Survey Camp 2, 14 Credits.
• Geotechnical Engineering, 12 Credits.
• Research Methods, 10 Credits.
• Industrial Attachment, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Impact Assessment and Modelling, 15 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 8 (130 Credits)

• Cadastral Surveying, 14 Credits.
• Geodesy and Geodetic Astronomy, 14 Credits.
• Underground Mining, 14 Credits.
• Small-Scale Mining, 14 Credits.
• Photogrammetry, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Engineering Surveying, 14 Credits.
• Mine Planning and Design, 14 Credits.
• Research project and Mini-Dissertation, 32 Credits.

1. Apply the scientific method to investigations of geological processes, earth systems, and interactions.
2. Systematically diagnose and solve broadly defined mine surveying problems by applying engineering principles.
3. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of broadly-defined mining engineering problems with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
4. Demonstrate high level of thorough knowledge competency of mine surveying principles in the discipline.
5. Demonstrate familiarity with and have an informed outline knowledge and understanding of the content, theories, and scholarly positions of the critical core of a number of disciplines at a basic and intermediate level.
6. Interpret, explain and/or develop an argument around and an understanding of newly-encountered material and demonstrate an ability to marshal an approach used in one or more disciplines included at the exit-level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Various physical and biological realms are applied utilising standard scientific field and laboratory methods.
• A range of academic and practical skills to investigate and report on a problem, issue or range of problems related to mine surveying, engineering surveying, and mining and mine environmental management are used.
• Appropriate instruments, tools and equipment in conducting laboratory and field investigations are employed.
• An understanding of the genesis of earth resources including fossil fuels, metals, and non metallic minerals and in this way they will appreciate their finite nature is demonstrated.
• Surveying concepts and methods are applied to surveying applications.
• Innovative solutions, logical and rational processes are generated to analyse and create surveying problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The problem is analysed and defined and criteria are identified for an acceptable solution.
• Relevant information and engineering knowledge and skills are identified for solving the problem.
• Possible approaches are generated and formulated that would lead to a workable solution for the problem.
• Possible solutions are modelled and analysed.
• Possible solutions are evaluated and the best solution is selected.
• The solution is formulated and presented in an appropriate form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The method, skill or tool is assessed for applicability and limitations against the required result.
• The method, skill or tool is applied correctly to achieve the required result.
• Results produced by the method, skill or tool are tested and assessed against required results.
• Computer applications are created, selected and used as required by the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Knowledge base in the principles of physical and historical geology is developed with special emphasis on the unifying theory of plate tectonics and the linkage between geological processes and global biogeochemical cycles.
• Knowledge base and research skills are applied to current Earth system based issues such as mining and management of Earth resources with emphasis on related economic, social, and public policy dimensions.
• The concept of geologic time and major events in the evolution of Earth and its plant and animal life are discussed.
• Various landscape forming processes that act on the Earth's surface (agents of weathering and erosion) and those that act from the planet's interior (mountain building. volcanism, earthquakes) are explained.
• Knowledge of how Earth system science aids in land use decisions and mitigation of natural hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, and landslides is demonstrated.
• The functioning of hydrologic systems and the challenge of maintaining surface and ground water quality is explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication is reflected.
• Recent and relevant research findings in the disciplines are analysed, evaluated and synthesised.
• Solutions to well-structured and practical problems are proposed and effectively applied based on theory-driven arguments.
• Scholarly discourse and discipline-specific conventions are efficiently and clearly communicated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Communication reflecting competence in higher-order cognitive domains and/or meta-cognition is displayed.
• Knowledge and comprehension of discipline-specific conventions and scholarly discourse is demonstrated.
• An accurate account of scholarly positions, viewpoints and solutions is given.
• Current perspectives and scholarly debates pertaining to the discipline and in different relevant contexts are identified and differentiated.
• Critical appraisal of recent and relevant literature including both primary and secondary sources is reflected.

Integrated Assessment

An interdisciplinary approach to assessment based on combining formal and informal assessment tasks will be carried to not only gauge what learners have learned, but to encourage learning and measuring progress towards intended learning outcomes.

The following assessment tasks will contribute a certain percentage towards the overall 60% of formative assessments as outlined in the University Assessment Policy. Feedback will be given to students timeously after a particular task has been carried out.

• Group work
• Oral presentations
• Case studies
• Fieldwork
• Practicums
• Written assignments
• Tests