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COM Certificates

CHAMBER OF MINES

CERTIFICATES

The introduction of Minerals Council Chamber of Mines Certificates aimed to establish standardized certifications for individuals working in the mining and minerals industries of South Africa. These certificates were implemented to ensure consistency and uniformity in in-house certifications. The Minerals Council of South Africa is responsible for organizing and administering all exams related to disciplines such as Survey, Sampling, Ventilation, and Rock Mechanics. Additionally, the council is entrusted with the issuance of the required certifications. By obtaining these certificates, candidates gain enhanced confidence and a deeper understanding of their job, creating opportunities for career advancement to senior positions. To be eligible for the Minerals Council Chamber of Mines Certificates examinations, candidates are required to undergo training in specific subjects and fulfill a specified number of notional hours.

COM Sampling

COM ADVANCED VALUATION CERTIFICATE

To earn the prestigious COM Advanced Valuation Certificate, you must successfully complete the following courses:

1. Basic Sampling: Develop a strong foundation in sampling techniques.
2. Elementary Sampling: Enhance your understanding of fundamental sampling concepts.
3. Advanced Valuation: Master advanced valuation methods and strategies.
4. Advanced Valuation Project: Apply your knowledge to a comprehensive valuation project.

COURSES TO COMPLETE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE:

Basic

Sampling

Elementary

Sampling

Advanced

Valuation

Advanced

Valuation Project

To achieve a COM Advance Sampling Certificate, you need to complete the following courses:

1. Basic Sampling: Develop a strong foundation in sampling techniques.

2. Elementary Sampling: Enhance your understanding of fundamental sampling concepts.

3. Advanced Valuation: Master advanced valuation methods and strategies.

4. Advanced Valuation Project: Apply your knowledge to a comprehensive valuation project.

By successfully accomplishing these courses, you will demonstrate your expertise in a range of valuation principles and techniques, equipping yourself with the skills necessary to excel in the field of advanced valuation. The COM Advance Valuation Certificate will serve as a testament to your dedication and proficiency in this specialized area.

BASIC SAMPLING

This course is one of four courses that have been developed to expose the learner to basic sampling and enable demonstration of competence. This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO. This course is aimed at providing a fundamental understanding of mine sampling and tasks as performed by an assistant or anyone needing a basic understanding of sampling. Course Material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Course Material combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

COURSE AVAILABLE ONLINE

ONLINE TRAINING

On completion of the course, the learner will be able to successfully demonstrate:

• Apply Basic Health and Safety work principles and Procedures in a Workplace – Unit Standard 116520
• Know, select and use materials, tools and equipment safely for technological purposes – Unit Standard 14097
• Demonstrate an understanding of selected structural features and their characteristics – Unit Standard 254507
• Measure and Record the dip and strike of a plane – Unit Standard 254499
• Position a Tape for Measuring – Unit Standard 14257
• Collect a face sample for the purpose of determining the content or quality of the
mineral – Unit Standard 9756
• Collect special samples for mineral evaluation purposes – Unit Standard 254509
• Basic Mine Sampling Definitions
• Mine Health and Safety Act

ELEMENTARY SAMPLING

This successful completion of the course will enable the student to enter for the COM Elementary Sampling Examination. This course is one of four courses that have been developed to prepare the learner for the Chamber of Mines Examinations. This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO. This course is aimed at providing an elementary understanding of mine sampling and tasks as performed by a sampler or anyone needing an elementary understanding of sampling. Course Material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Course Material combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

COURSE AVAILABLE ONLINE

ONLINE TRAINING

On completion of the course, the learner will be able to successfully demonstrate:

• Collect special samples for mineral evaluation purposes – Unit Standard 254509
• Mine Health and Safety Act, Act No. 29 of 1996 regulations
• Definitions of terms, and standard abbreviations, as published by the Institute of Mine Surveyors of South Africa
• Module will explain the Fault & Dyke, Terminology, Petrology and Mineralogy
• Apply basic health and safety work principles and procedures in a workplace – Unit Standard 116520
• Development Sampling
• Collect a face sample for the purpose of determining the content or quality of the mineral – Unit Standard 9756
• Quarter broken material to obtain a representative sample – Unit Standard 9758
• Assay Office Procedure
• Irregular Intervals
• Ore flow sheet, mine call factor
• Pay Limit
• Tonnage and Mineral content

ADVANCED VALUATION

The successful completion of the course will enable the student to enter for the COM Valuation (Theory) Examination.

This course is aimed at providing understanding of Advance Valuation and tasks as performed by a Valuator. This course is ideally suited to candidates who have obtained the Chamber of Mines – Basic Mine Sampling and the Elementary Mine Sampling qualifications and who are looking to career promotion, or more importantly, who are further looking to undertake the Mine Surveyors Certificate of Competency examination.

This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO.

The main focus of this course is theory.

Course Material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Course Material combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

On completion of the course, the learner will be able to successfully demonstrate:

• Understand the objectives of mine valuation
• Describe the procedures to be followed when performing sampling
• Describe the flow of rock from the working face to the final product
• Identify problem areas relating to ore flow and describe the required corrective action
• Define and perform calculations relating to grade control, pay limits, ore reserves, short- and long-term forecasting, profit/loss and bore hole information
• Calculate Block Factor, Block Call Factor and Ore Reserve Mining Factor
• Do basic statistics and geo-statistical calculations

ADVANCED VALUATION PROJECT

This course is ideal for candidates who completed the COM Valuation (Theory) Examination.

This course prepares the student for the Chamber of Mines Advanced Valuation Practical Project.

This course is aimed at providing understanding of Advanced Valuation and tasks as performed by a Valuator. The main focus of this course is practical training.

This course is one of the requirements to become eligible for candidacy to write the Mine Surveyors Certificate of Competency (MSCC).

This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO.

Course Material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Course Material combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

COM ADVANCED SURVEY CERTIFICATE

To obtain the prestigious COM Advanced Survey Certificate, you must successfully complete the following courses:

1. Basic Survey: Lay the groundwork by mastering the fundamentals of survey techniques.
2. Elementary Survey: Deepen your understanding of survey methodology and its applications.
3. Advanced Survey: Acquire advanced survey skills and explore complex survey methodologies.
4. Advanced Survey Project: Apply your knowledge to a comprehensive survey project, showcasing your expertise.

COURSES TO COMPLETE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE:

Basic

Survey

Elementary

Survey

Advanced

Survey

Advanced

Survey Project

To achieve a COM Advance Survey Certificate, you had to complete the following courses:

1. Basic Survey: Lay the groundwork by mastering the fundamentals of survey techniques.

2. Elementary Survey: Deepen your understanding of survey methodology and its applications.

3. Advanced Survey: Acquire advanced survey skills and explore complex survey methodologies.

4. Advanced Survey Project: Apply your knowledge to a comprehensive survey project, showcasing your expertise.

By accomplishing these courses with excellence, you will demonstrate your mastery of a wide range of survey techniques and methodologies. The COM Advance Survey Certificate will serve as a testament to your dedication and proficiency in this specialized field, positioning you as an accomplished survey professional.

BASIC SURVEY

This course is the entry level for further training into the Mining and Engineering field and have been developed to expose the learner to mine surveying and enable demonstration of competence.

This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO.

The Course material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

COURSE AVAILABLE ONLINE

ONLINE TRAINING

On completion of the course, the learner will be able to successfully demonstrate:

• Apply Basic Health and Safety work principles and Procedures in a Workplace – Unit Standard 116520
• Introduction and Objectives of Surveying – COM
• Surveying and Measuring Equipment – COM
• Read a Plan – Unit Standard 14242
• Position a Tape for Measuring – Unit Standard 14257 (theory and practical)
• Plot tape and offset Measurements on a Plan – Unit Standard 14442 (theory and practical)
• The Planimeter – COM
• Establish a Survey Point – Unit Standard 254505
• Install an Underground Survey Point – Unit Standard 254504
• Attend to a Survey Point in an Underground Environment – Unit Standard 9760
• Mining Terminology and Units of Measurements – COM
• Measure and Record the Dip and Strike of a Plane – Unit Standard 254499
• Mine Health and Safety Act of 1996 Regulations – COM
• Setting up the Theodolite and the transit of a theodolite – COM
• Underground Survey Traverse – COM
• Plotting and Projecting of Survey Pegs and drawing of sections on a 1:200 Plan – COM

• Legal Knowledge: Demonstrate an understanding of the following regulations, most of which are contained within the
repealed Minerals Act (Act 50 of 1991), but are in force in terms of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) and in future references thereto will be made as Regulations of the Mine Health and Safety Act.

ELEMENTARY SURVEY

This successful completion of the course will enable the student to enter for the COM Elementary Survey Examination.

This course is aimed at providing an elementary understanding of mine surveying and tasks as performed by a surveyor.

This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO.

The Course material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

COURSE AVAILABLE ONLINE

ONLINE TRAINING

On completion of the course, the learner will be able to successfully demonstrate:

• Insight into the Syllabus for the certificate
• Insight into the objective, methods, general duties and equipment of the survey department
• A guide in the purpose and principles of the equipment used by the department
• Co-ordinate systems are covered as well as what directions and bearings are and how they are
utilized
• Trigonometry and how it fits into surveying
• The method of how to operate the Theodolite correctly when doing a survey traverse
• Leveling procedures and the relevant calculations
• The measurements taken in the field and errors are discussed
• Gradients and side grades
• Line pegs and grade chains
• Calculation of gradients and grade
• Join calculations
• Triangulation
• Area and volumes
• Trilateration

COM Survey

ADVANCED SURVEY

The successful completion of the course will enable the student to enter for the COM Advanced Survey (Theory) Examination.
This course is ideally suited to candidates who have obtained the Chamber of Mines – Basic Surveying and the Elementary Surveying qualifications and who are looking to career promotion, or more importantly, who are further looking to undertake the Mine Surveyors Certificate of Competency examination.

This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO.

The main focus of this course is theory.

Course Material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Course Material combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

On completion of the course, the learner will be able to

Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and principles associated with and perform calculations related to:

• Areas and volumes.

• Tachometry.

• Traversing and joins.

• The adjustments of a closed survey traverse.

• The adjustment of a closed levelling traverse.

• Two- and three-pointer problems.

• Triangulations and triangulation error figures.

• Trilateration’s and trilateration error figures.

• Simple curves (including setting out simple curves underground and on surface).

• Lines of intersection.

• Strike and dip from three-boreholes.

• Establishing underground surveys from shaft wires.

• Eccentric set ups.

• Base lines.

• Establishing shaft control (vertical and inclined shafts)

• Demonstrate an understanding of the use, principles of operation, adjustment / calibration and care of a laser, gyro theodolite, electronic distance meter, electronic theodolite, total station, GPS Theory – classroom, lecturing of syllabus and examination examples

ADVANCED SURVEY PROJECT

This course is ideal for candidates who completed the COM Advanced Survey (Theory) Examination.

This course prepares the student for the Chamber of Mines Advanced Survey Practical Project.

The main focus of this course is practical training.

The Advanced Mine Surveying Certificate is one of the requirements to become eligible for candidacy to write the Mine Surveyors Certificate of Competency (MSCC).

This course will also cover Unit Standards from the MQA to enable Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) during further studies through the MQA and QCTO.

Course Material used is the original AAC Maccauvlei and QCTO Course Material combined.

COURSE DURATION

days

After the completion of 10 practical shifts, the learner will be able to successfully demonstrate:

• Carry out advanced surface survey techniques.

• Baseline establishments
• Resections
• Intersections
• Triangulations
• Trilaterations
• Traverse adjustments
• Trigonometry
• Tachometry
• Contouring

• Physical surveying of a 3ha area and completion of the plan

• Submit of a portfolio of tasks completed

MINE SURVEYORS' CERTIFICATE

OF COMPETENCY

The Mine Surveyors' certificate of competency serves as a permit to legally practice as a mine surveyor in South African mines. These certificates are granted to individuals who demonstrate competence and fulfill the necessary qualifications to perform the duties of a mine surveyor, as outlined in the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29 of 1996) and its regulations. To become a candidate for the certificate, individuals must fulfill specific requirements, including completing the required number of practical shifts in a mine and meeting other application criteria. Once accepted as a candidate by the Department of Mineral Resources, they can apply to take the examination. The candidate's competence is assessed through an evaluation process conducted by the department. Only upon being deemed competent by the Department of Mineral Resources, will a Mine Surveyors' certificate of competence be issued. The written examination comprises two parts covering all the necessary subjects.

MSCC Couses

MSC OF C CERTIFICATE

This certificate is ideally suited to candidates who are beginning or who are progressing with their Mine Surveyors Certificate of Competency (MSC of C) training.

The following courses ensure that the candidates gain a complete picture of the requirements of the chosen subject – understanding of the calculation basics, sound methodology of answering and self-checking of questions, time and marks management of questions as well as self-confidence.

COURSES TO COMPLETE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE:

MSC of C

Survey 1

MSC of C

Geology

MSC of C

Survey 2

MSC of C

Survey 3

Mining

Economics 1

Mining

Economics 2

Mining Economics

Project

MSC of C

Mathematics

Trial Survey

Project

Mining

Legislation

Theory and practical training – coaching of syllabus subjects, examination examples, examination techniques together with class/group problem solving of questions.

Survey 1 – 5 days
Mining Economics I – 5 days
Survey 2 – 10 days
Survey 3 – 5 days
Mining Economics II – 5 days
Trial Survey – 10 days
Mining Economics Project – 10 days
Geology – 5 days
Mining Legislation – 10 days
Mathematics – 15 days
Course Legislation – 5 days

CHAMBER OF MINES

CERTIFICATES

MINE SURVEYORS' CERTIFICATE

OF COMPETENCY

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