MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY ( MINES)

Introduction

The following instructions, rules and syllabi for the examinations are framed in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act, (Act No.29 of 1996) regulation 28.6.

The following Certificates of Competency are issued by the Department of Minerals and Energy:

Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer for Mines and Works.

Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer for Mines and Works.

Written examinations for each of these certificates are conducted in June and November by the Department of National Education in collaboration with the Commission of Examiners of the Department and the Department of Labor.

This page sets out the education route to obtain your Engineers Certificate of Competency.

Students should ensure that the subjects studied at the Technical College are accepted by the Commission of Examiners as those required to become accepted to write the examination.

Further detail of the examination and the recognition thereof can be obtained in the Profile page. The two sections, "Who are our members" and "The Future" will give further insight.

There is presently much being said about the rationalization of the Certificate of Competency. This has been a lengthy process to date and still has much way to go for finalization. Students should not allow this issue to cloud their thinking or interfere in any way with the study which is in progress.

The rationalization process is, in brief, the handing over of the control and administration of examinations and issue of the certificates of competency from Government, to another party, which is yet to be determined. This will require much planning and legislation changes. Advice from ICMEESA, which is integrally involved with the process, is, proceed as the present system allows. 

If you wish to become a student member of ICMEESA, you can register online. ICMEESA also offers a limited number of bursary opportunities.

Please do not hesitate to contact ICMEESA for assistance, as the ICMEESA is well represented on the commission of examiners.

Qualifying examinations

To qualify for a Certificate of Competency as Mechanical or Electrical Engineer for Mines and Works, the following subjects must be passed by persons accepted as candidates:

Plant Engineering;

Legal Knowledge (Health and Safety Act and Regulations).

To qualify for a Certificate of Competency candidates must obtain at least 50% in each subject. Candidates need not pass both subjects at the same examination sitting, but the second subject must be passed within two years or four consecutive examination sittings of passing the first, otherwise both subjects must be re-written. However, if a candidate obtains 75% or more of the full marks in a subject he will be permanently exempted from re-writing that subject. An appropriate Certificate of Competency will be forwarded to candidates who have passed the subjects required to qualify for such a certificate.

Acceptance of Candidates

No person will be allowed to enter for the qualifying examination unless he has been accepted as a candidate by the Commission of Examiners and no credit will be given for a pass in the subjects mentioned prior to such acceptance.

An applicant shall not be accepted as a candidate by the Commission of Examiners unless he has submitted proof that he has reached the age of 23 years, of sobriety and general good conduct and that he is in possession of qualifications and experience in engineering as follows:

For the Certificate of Competency as Mechanical or Electrical Engineer for Mines and Works:

a B.Sc. degree in mechanical or electrical engineering recognized by the Commission of Examiners and at least two years post graduate appropriate practical experience in the maintenance and operations of mechanical and electrical machinery satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners and of which at least one year has been at a mine in the RSA; or

a course (Technikon route) in engineering (mechanical or electrical as the case may be), a first exit level diploma plus at least two years experience subsequent to the issue of such exit level diploma in the maintenance and operations of mechanical or electrical machinery as the case may be, which is satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners, and of which at least one year has been at a mine in the RSA. The completion of such course shall include passing all the subjects with a mark of at least 50%.

Individual Technikons will structure a curriculum to cover the electrical and mechanical course according to the requirements of the Plant Engineering Syllabus (Annexure II). The Technikon will subsequently certify that a candidate for the Government Certificate of Competency, having followed the Technikon route, has

completed a curriculum which covers the syllabus for Plant Engineering;

acquired a National Diploma with a mark per subject of at least 50%; and

received the required experiential training; or

enrolled for the B.Tech. degree at an approved Technikon with the undertaking from such Technikon to monitor and control the required experiential training after completion of such degree;

a course (Technical College route) in engineering (mechanical or electrical as the case may be). The completion of such course shall include passing all subjects with a mark of at least 50%. Such person shall also have served an apprenticeship in an appropriate trade and gained experience in the maintenance and operations of mechanical or electrical machinery, as the case may be. Such experience, of which at least one year has been at a mine in the RSA, shall be satisfactory to the Commissioner of Examiners.

The Department of National Education will structure a curriculum to cover the electrical and mechanical course according to the requirements of the Plant Engineering Syllabus. After completion of the prescribed course, the Department of National Education will be required to certify that a candidate for the Government Certificate of Competency, having followed the Technical College route, has:

completed a curriculum which covers the syllabus for Plant Engineering;

acquired a National Certificate on the N6 level with a mark of at least 50% in all subjects.

Other qualifications and experience will be considered on merit by the Commission of Examiners.

The additional practical experience of one year at a mine in the RSA referred to..

A maximum of 50% of the period for appropriate practical experience obtained during military training may be recognized by the Commission if substantial proof of the appropriate experience is submitted by a candidate.

When an applicant follows an approved practical training program, such an applicant may be accepted as a candidate to write the qualifying examination before the applicant has completed the required practical experience as stipulated, provided that the applicant can provide proof that not more than four months of the approved practical training program is still outstanding at the closing date for acceptance as a candidate to write the qualifying examination. Upon successful passing of the qualifying examination, a certificate will only be issued if proof of completion of the full approved practical training program has been submitted.

Persons who wish to be accepted as candidates and who are in possession of a foreign degree, diploma or certificate in engineering, or who are in possession of engineering qualifications other than those mentioned, must have such degree, diploma or certificate evaluated by the Department of National Education, Examination Section, Private Bag X110, Pretoria, 0001, to check what additional subjects, if any, must be passed in order to comply with the requirements for acceptance. A request for valuation must indicate that it is for the Engineer's Certificate of Competency and

must include a list of the subjects, including marks obtained, which led to the obtaining of the degree, diploma or certificate. A copy of the evaluation and a certified copy of the degree, diploma or certificate must accompany the application for acceptance as a candidate.

NOTE: An evaluation by the Human Sciences Research Council on its own is not sufficient.

EXAMINATION RULES

Plant Engineering (Mining) is a "closed book" examination. It will consist of both mechanical and electrical questions, with a limited choice of questions. The time allowed for the examination is three hours. 

Candidates may not use alpha-numerical or programmable calculators in the examination room.

The question paper on the Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations is also a closed book examination. There is no choice of questions and all questions must be answered. The time allowed for the examination is three hours.

It should be noted that the syllabus include the practical application of the Act and Regulations. This implies an understanding of the Act and Regulations rather than committing the wording to memory only.

COMMISSION OF EXAMINERS

FACTORIES" CERTIFICATES

Persons who wish to qualify for a certificate of competency for "Factories" must apply to:

The Secretary
Commission of Examiners
Department of Labor
Private Bag X117
PRETORIA
0001
Tel.: (012) 309 4312

MINES CERTIFICATES

Persons who wish to qualify for a certificate of competency for "Mines" must apply to:

The Secretary
Commission of Examiners
Department of Minerals and Energy
Private Bag X59
PRETORIA
0001
Tel.: (012) 317 9 079.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Obtain application forms for acceptance from the address above.
Return completed forms to above-mentioned address together with:

(a) R50.00 unconcealed revenue stamp (stuck on form).

(b) Certified copies of degrees, diplomas or certificates and if applicable a copy of the evaluation thereof by the Department of National Education.

(c) Certified certificate from Technician or Technical College, as the case may be, that the syllabus for Plant Engineering has been covered. 

(d) Certified proof of appropriate practical experience.

(e) Testimonial re sobriety and conduct (original letter).

(f) Proof of age i.e. ID Number or copy of birth certificate (certified). 
(g) A letter from the Resident Engineer, where possible, stating the suitability as candidate (original letter).

 If acceptable, the Commission of Examiners will send a letter of acceptance for the examination. 

The candidate must take the letter of acceptance to enter for the qualifying subjects (3.1) at any Technical College or with any Local Secretary of the Department of National Education, to whom the examination fees must be paid. The examinations are in June and November and the closing dates for entry are 20 March and 25 September respectively. The results obtained by a candidate in any examination will not be recognized by the Commission should any candidate enter for the examination without having obtained a letter of acceptance from the Commission. 

The Commission of Examiners will not entertain applications to the examination
15 working days before the date set by the Department of Education.
The results obtained by a candidate in any examination will not be recognized by the
Commission of Examiners should any candidate enter for the examination without obtained a letter of acceptance from the Commission of Examiners.

Candidates, who have passed the qualifying subjects must forward certified proof of 
having passed the prescribe subjects to the Commission of Examiners at the above-mentioned address.

Candidates who have passed by means of a remark must notify the Commission of 
Examiners accordingly.

If successful the Commission of Examiners will forward the appropriate certificate of competency.

ACCEPTABLE TRADES AND EXPERIENCE

PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE (MINES)

PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE TO BE COMPLETED BY MENTOR/ENGINEER AND CANDIDATE, AND SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION.

Candidates must be conversant with the following plant, equipment, practices and processes on surface and underground at mines with emphasis on the general design, lay out, reticulation, production capacity, energy requirements, motion characteristics, economic, operation, efficiency testing, commissioning, maintenance, safety precautions and devices. This section is complimentary to and additional to the theoretical curriculum taught at Universities, Technikons or Technical Colleges. 
Certain experience is required- Please indicate on the attached form the experience gained under each section.

ALTERNATE CERTIFICATES AND EXEMPTIONS

A candidate with a B.Sc. degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or equivalent qualification, recognized by the Commission of Examiners, who has had at least three years post-graduate experience satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners and accepted as a Professional Engineer (appropriately qualified) by the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA), may be exempted from the subject "Plant Engineering". 

The holder of a Certificate of Competency for "Factories" who wishes to qualify for the equivalent certificate for "Mines and Works" shall re-apply for acceptance as a candidate together with proof of at least one year's experience in the maintenance and operation of appropriate machinery at a mine satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners and after acceptance will be required to pass the required subjects.

The holder of a Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer who wishes to qualify for a certificate as Electrical Engineer shall re-apply for acceptance as candidate together with proof of appropriate experience. Such experience shall be satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners and shall consist of at least two years experience in the maintenance and operation of electrical machinery, or, at least four years "mixed" experience in the maintenance and operation of both electrical and mechanical machinery which was gained after the acquisition of the mechanical certificate. The applicant will also be required to produce proof obtained from a Technikon or Technical College of passing the subjects required to cover the Syllabus for the Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer, with a mark of at least 50%.

The holder of a Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer who wishes to qualify for a certificate as Mechanical Engineer, shall re-apply for acceptance as a candidate together with proof of appropriate experience. Such experience shall be satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners and shall consist of at least two years experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical machinery, or, at least four years "mixed" experience in the maintenance and operation of both mechanical and electrical machinery which was gained after the acquisition of the electrical certificate. The applicant will also be required to produce proof obtained from a Technikon or Technical College of passing the subjects required to cover the Syllabus for the Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer, with a mark of at least 50%.