Course Content
This certificate will be in two parts:
Part A:
- Part A will consist of a three-hour written closed book theory examination paper
- Dates will be determined by the Chamber of Mines. (Normally May and October)
- Candidates must register for these exams on http://www.comcert.co.za/ and an exam registration fee of R1000.00 is payable to the Chamber of Mines
- To pass Part A the candidate must obtain a minimum of 60%. A pass will be retained for 18 months.
- Hand held electronic calculators would be permitted.
Part B:
The successful completion of Part A is a prerequisite for the submission of Part B.
- The candidate will be required to submit a portfolio of his/her elementary mine sampling skills for assessment by the examination committee
- The portfolio must be submitted within a period of 18 months after successful completion of the theory examination. Failure to comply will result in the theory part being re-written!!
Theoretical Section
The syllabus shall consist of the following and the Basic Mine Sampling Certificate for Coal and Tabular Ore bodies’ syllabi:
- Demonstrate an understanding of mine sampling with reference, but not limited to the definition, objectives, methods, intervals, basic principles, false values, sampling terminology.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theory, principles and procedures associated with:
- Shaft reef intersections sampling.
- Dump sampling – rock, sand and slime dumps.
- Broken ore sampling.
- Check sampling.
- Open cast/outcrop sampling.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theory, principles and procedures associated with assaying and the assaying of samples.
- Perform calculations related to area, volume, mass, density and mineral content.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and principles associated with and perform calculations related to:
- Stope sampling – definitions/terminology, procedures, dip and strike, plotting of results, averaging a stretch of stope sampling, averaging and weighting of a number of stope samplings, off reef portion.
- Development sampling - definitions/terminology, procedures, dip and strike, plotting of results, averaging a stretch of development sampling (drive, raise), average cross-cut sampling, averaging and weighting of a number of development samplings.
- Irregular stope sampling.
Legal Knowledge
6 Demonstrate an understanding of the following regulations, most of which are contained within the repealed Minerals Act (Act 50 of 1991), but are in force in terms of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) and in future references thereto will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.
Chapter 1 - Defitinitions of the following
- controlled mine safety pillar
- fiery mine scheduled mine
- hazardous area shaft
- manager socket
- misfired hole flameproof apparatus
- non-fiery mine winze
- raise workings
Chapter 2 – Responsibility
- Regulation 2.10.4
Chapter 3 – General Provisions
- Regulations 3.12, 3.14, 3.15.1 and 3.18.1
Chapter 4 – Workmen
- Regulations 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.3.4, 4.4.1, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.11, 4.16.3, 4.17.1, 4.17.2, 4.17.3, 4.17.4
Chapter 5 – Outlets, Ladder ways and Travelling ways
- Regulations 6.4 and 6.9
Chapter 6 – Protection in Workings
- Regulations 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 7.3.3, 7.3.4, 7.5.1, 7.5.2, 7.7.1, 7.7.2, 7.7.3, 7.8.1, 7.8.3, 7.11.4
Chapter 8 – Responsibility in Workings
- Regulations 8.1, 8.1.1, 8.5.1
Chapter 9 – Explosives
- Regulations 9.3, 9.5.1, 9.25, 9.38.9
Chapter 10 – Ventilation, Gases and Dust
- Regulations 10.6.4 and 10.21.3
Chapter 11 – Precautions against fire
- Regulations 11.3 and 11.3.1
Chapter 15 – Lighting, Safety lamps and Contraband
- Regulations 15.1, 15.8.4, 15.8.5, 15.9.1, 15.11, 15.11.1, 15.11.2
Chapter 16 – Winding
- Regulations 16.1, 16.48, 16.63, 16.67, 16.87
Chapter 17 – Surveying, Mapping and Mine Plans
- “New mine surveying regulations” 17(1), 17(4)(a), 17(4)(c), 17(10), 17(10)(a), 17(10)(b), 17(11), 17(12), 17(14), 17(14)(a), 17(14)(b)(v),
Chapter 18 – Traction
- Regulation 18.1.1
Chapter 20 – Machinery: Special Safety Measures
- Regulation 20.2, 20.3.1, 20.3.2, 20.4
Chapter 24 – First Aid and Rescue Brigades
- Regulation 24.7
