Master of Mineral Resource Governance

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Mineral Resource Governance by research is to provide all persons involved within the mining value chain, from exploration to rehabilitation, to develop research and innovative practices to develop mining policies, standards and practices within the African continent that will ensure the sustainable development of Africa's mineral wealth. It is aimed at developing a learner with the abilities to apply fundamental engineering technologies or related inter-disciplinary principles to develop mineral resource policy and strategies in Africa and to acquire capabilities to conduct fundamental research of an inter-disciplinary nature independently. The qualification will enable the learners to acquire knowledge of the logic behind research and to master the different stages. The focus is on independent research activities in industry, preferably in an active mining environment, addressing essential productivity and sustainability activities that will have a direct impact on a mining company and the surrounding community aimed at improving processes that will ensure sustainability within the mining sector in a broader context.

Rationale

The Master of Mineral Resource Governance is developed with the conviction that African countries need effective mineral resource policies to stand a meaningful chance of overcoming underdevelopment and poverty. There is an urgency to develop the capacity and expertise in mineral resource policy of government officials and to move beyond the jointly offered short courses in Mineral Resource Policy and Extraction Policy and to scale-up training to a Master's level.

Apart from scaling-up the training in Mineral Resource Policy at the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), it is also envisaged to upgrade qualifications, which trainees can expect to gain and significantly increase the number of officials who will be trained in Africa at a Master's level in the field of Mineral Resource Policy.

The qualification is offered through the Faculty of Engineering for two reasons

• Engineering (and its related fields) holds a key position in the Industrial and Mineral Resource Development of the continent.
• It has been identified as critical, a need to grow an interdisciplinary set of offerings in order to more aptly respond to the needs of the country, region, and continent and to be in line with global developments in Engineering.
• The Master in Mineral Resource Policy thus enriches the faculty's offerings and enhances its strategic growth and development. Such addition will also promote international cross-disciplinary collaboration firstly with Universities in Africa, but also international universities with the same philosophy.

With the increased focus on research and innovation, an increase in demand for Master's Degree qualification in mining has been noticeable. The current demand in the School of Mining Engineering, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering has been accommodated in a Master Technology: Metallurgy qualification. The development of the Master of Mineral Resource Governance is seen as only partially addressing the volume of demand currently experienced.

The development of this specific qualification is focussed on developing sustainable mineral practices and policies will ensure that the mineral wealth of Africa is developed for the benefit of all its people.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The university accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

RPL is managed according to the University's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out:

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status.
• Recognition will take place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the university:
• RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements:

> Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF Level.

> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

> Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty and is finally decided upon by the Faculty Dean's Committee.

• A qualification that does not satisfy the formal entrance requirements for a Master's Degree, but the holder of a qualification, may apply for admission to the Master's Degree through RPL, for which the application may be granted subject.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement is a

• Relevant Bachelor Honours Degree at NQF Level 8.

Or

• A relevant Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8.

Or

• A relevant Bachelor's Degree with appropriate work experience in policy development and policy research (Honours level).

Or

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Mineral Processing and Ore Beneficiation at NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

For the dissertation route

• Master of Mineral Resource Governance, 180 Credits.

Or

For the coursework route.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Mineral Economics, 20 Credits.
• Mineral Policy, 20 Credits.
• Minerals Governance, 20 Credits.
• Mini Dissertation, 60 Credits.

Elective Modules, 60 Credits (Choose three modules)

• Global Mining Industry Structure, 20 Credits.
• Appropriate Mine Design for Economic Development, 20 Credits.
• Minerals Exploration and Valuation, 20 Credits.
• Mineral Information Systems and Geographic Information Systems for Minerals Governance, 20 Credits.

The following Exit Level Outcomes are applicable for those learners following a dissertation route

1. Conduct independent and original research pertaining to the field of Mineral Resource Governance.
2. Apply knowledge that is highly specialised, authoritative and competent to address solution to the challenges of mineral resource governance.
3. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with specifically research audiences and the community at large, as far as they are affected by the research, using appropriate data analysis and interpretation.
4. Participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities by acting ethically in the chosen field of research.
5. Work effectively independently or with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community or in multidisciplinary environments as they relate to the research conducted within the field of mineral resource governance.

The following Exit Level Outcomes are applicable for those learners following a coursework route

1. Plan and manage policy development research projects, demonstrating underlying fundamental knowledge, understanding and insight into the principles, methodologies and concepts that constitute socially responsible (vis-�-vis all local and other communities) policy development.
2. Evaluate the impact of economic policy on the environment and social development of a region.
3. Communicate effectively with policy and strategy development professionals regarding the development of strategies.
4. Negotiate effectively within the parameters of a given mineral policy and the governance structures of the mining industry.
5. Evaluate and create an effective contract for the exploitation of minerals within different environments and commodities.
6. Use and assess appropriate policy development and research methods, skills, tools, technology and information technology effectively and critically in policy development practice, to show an understanding of and a willingness to accept responsibility for the impact that mineral resource governance and practice has on society and the environment.
7. Participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national, and global communities by acting professionally and ethically in the chosen field of research.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable for those learners following a dissertation route

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Complete a dissertation by identifying and formulating a research problem related to mineral resource challenges or problems.
• Independently plan, co-ordinate and review research work, usually under supervision.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Perform a critical and relevant literature survey.
• Assess the significance of the research findings, as they relate to challenges of mineral resource governance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Produce a dissertation in an acceptable structure, style and language.
• Coherently describe the research findings and clearly emphasise its importance to the field of mineral resource governance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate an awareness of the social implications of the research conducted.
• Illustrate ethical considerations in the gathering of research data.
• Acknowledge the impact that mineral resource governance and practice has on society and the environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the multidisciplinary environments that impact on the governance of mineral resources.
• Engage and consider various stakeholders that may impact or influence the mineral resource sector.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable for those learners following a coursework route

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically justify a design within the economic context of the mining industry.
• Formulate an effective mine design within the context of the economical requirements and industry specific environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify the fundamental requirements of effective strategy to stimulate investment in mineral resources.
• Develop a strategy within pre-defined parameters in order to ensure sustainable and economically sound exploitation of mineral resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Formulate and communicate effective mining strategies within the context of the environment in which the strategy needs to be implemented.
• Interpret a public report based on a mineral resource based on one of the abovementioned codes and appraise the validity thereof.
• Demonstrate an ability to design, implement and communicate an ethical mining - or organisational design to maximise the capacity of a resource.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Discuss different methods of negotiation within mining governance structures.
• Identify the fundamental requirements of effective negotiations.
• Develop a negotiation strategy within pre-defined parameters.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Describe the fundamental elements contained in a contract.
• Critically analyse mining contracts.
• Discuss the difference in environments and commodities with relation to mining contracts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Interpret information retrieved from a GIS or MIS system to support a specific decision.
• Appraise current reporting codes including the SAMREC, SAMVAL, JORC, Canadian and European reporting codes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Analyse various proposals relating to the implementation of a specific design strategy within the context of a mineral industry problem.

Integrated Assessment

The following integrated assessment is applicable for those learners following a dissertation route.

Formative Assessment: Seminar presentations and learner/supervisor consultations.

Summative Assessment: Research Dissertation.

The following integrated assessment is applicable for those learners following a coursework route.

Formative Assessment

• Includes tests, assignments or presentations.

Summative Assessment

• Includes a summative examination or portfolio of evidence.