Bachelor of Science Honours in Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to

• Provide quality and focused geological education at an Honours level to improve the personal attributes of learners.
• Provide a status and a basis for life-long learning, recognition, marketability and employability.
• Ensure that there is a cadre of geologists entering into the South African community that will respond to the developmental needs of the international, national and regional community in the Mining Geology arena.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Acquire specialised knowledge within a particular Geological field of interest.
• Display the ability to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight of the geological field.
• Apply appropriate research methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation.
• Communicate effectively regarding topics with their field of specialisation.
• Demonstrate analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources and applying them to real problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for actions and decisions made.

Rationale

South Africa has vast resources of minerals and natural reserves. It is most important that a cadre of professional, competent and skilled Geologists are trained to lead the sector of mineral processing and ore beneficiation within South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and on an international platform.

The qualification will present qualifying learners with an opportunity to register professionally with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and, as a result, afford them the opportunity to practise professionally as geologists.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission into the qualification by learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be obtained through a RPL process in accordance with the institution's RPL Policy and Procedures.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A Bachelor's Degree in the related field, Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,120 Credits

• Research Project (Geology), 40 Credits.
• African Geology and Ore deposit Genesis, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Petrology and Petrography, 20 Credits.
• Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation, 20 Credits.
• Analytical Techniques in Mineralogy, 20 Credits.

1. Acquire specialised knowledge within a particular Geological field of interest.
2. Display the ability to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight of the geological field.
3. Make decisions on ethical values and practices within their field of specialisation.
4. Communicate effectively regarding topics within their field of specialisation.
5. Make informed decision on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation.
6. Develop competence in reading and understanding, and critically appraising text/literature in the context they are written.
7. Be competent in analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources and applying them to real problems.
8. Ability to take responsibility for actions and decisions made.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Reflect the correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication.
• Represent the critical appraisal of the relationship among concepts and principles of the Geological disciplines.
• Apply knowledge to propose solutions to well-structured and practical problems (both concrete and abstract).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Access various kinds of information resources, such as the library, Internet, and primary and secondary sources related to Geology, and is able to discern relevant from irrelevant literature.
• Reflect explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken.
• Demonstrate the provision of relevant information pertaining to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the context for addressing specific problems.
• Identify relevant role players and resources that will contribute to resolution of specific problems.
• Describe all relevant factors pertaining to the context and performance(s) in these contexts and how they affect the particular work being undertaken; and.
• Identify critical factors impacting on practical problems to be investigated from the perspective of the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe the ethical implications of various kinds of research and be able to act accordingly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Express own opinions clearly and coherently, justify a position and present it logically, systematically using properly substantiated arguments.
• Show an awareness of audience, and capability in using different modes of communication (oral and written) and discipline-specific conventions, and utilisation of different techniques and strategies for communicating results.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply standard procedures within the specific discipline, such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning.
• Collect and recording appropriate data truthfully and in the appropriate format.
• Analyse and interpreting materials.
• Argue persuasively about such analyses and interpretations.
• Draw valid conclusions; and.
• Present conclusions appropriately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify the central theme (s) of the essay.
• Extract and explain the competing arguments.
• Give knowledgeable perspective to the debate and derive a conclusion that fills the gap.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Structure the essay by showing understanding of the question and indicating the direction of your answer through laying out the subsections of the essay and their linkages with the overall theme.
• Operationalise the topic by stating clearly the context in which its basic concepts and assumptions are to be evaluated in the essay.
• Debate the subject matter by developing logically coherent arguments as well as citing and discussing illustrative examples.
• Draw a conclusion that is consistent with the arguments raised in the essay and suggesting possible outcomes of alternative initiatives at addressing the subject matter.
• Present the essay according to appropriate and / or recommended word processing and referencing protocol.
• Demonstrate key scholarly skills through Logical thinking (including identification of flawed reasoning in a text), Inductive and deductive thinking skills and Thinking and reasoning (self-reflexivity is demonstrated at the appropriate level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate effective functioning within the Geological field of practice.
• Take rational decisions are taken and methodologies used to solve practical problems.
• Accepts responsibility for decisions and actions taken.
• Accepts personal limitations and is able to refer to specialists in the field where require.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment across exit level outcomes within the qualification should be integrated to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments are based on formative assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to candidates and summative assessments, which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes. Such assessments should assess the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification.