National Diploma in Mining and Mine Engineering
This course develops your ability to understand mineral extraction or metallurgical production through technical methods, safety and quality control.
About the course
This course develops your ability to understand mineral extraction or metallurgical production through technical methods, safety and quality control. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Explain the processes used in the relevant mining or metallurgical operation.
Interpret technical measurements and production information.
Prepare a reasoned operational improvement with environmental and safety considerations.
Requirements
Prepare evidence of relevant certificate study or comparable prior learning for the provider's admission review. Refresh the subject knowledge, calculations and practical skills needed for diploma work. Plan access to the supervised workplace, laboratory or project resources required by the course.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 16 subjects
1Foundations and shared practice3 subjects
2Practical integration3 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
16 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Foundations and shared practice
- National Studies. Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
- Mine Occupational Health And Safety Management. Explore the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Practical integration
- Project. Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving mine planning and designing, blasthole drilling. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
- On The Job Education And Training. Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect mine planning and designing, blasthole drilling with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate mine planning and designing, blasthole drilling within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Specialist subjects
- Mine Planning And Designing. Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
- Blasthole Drilling. Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
- Mine Blasting 1. Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
- Mine Blasting 2. Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
- Rock Mechanics. Explore the behaviour of ground materials and their effects on engineering work. Practice centres on a ground-condition report using supplied site and test data, drawing on soil and rock identification and site information and sampling records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the separation of observations, assumptions and conclusions.
- Hydrology And Mine Drainage. Explore the movement, storage and control of water or other fluids. Practice centres on a flow-system diagram and calculation portfolio, drawing on fluid properties and pressure and continuity, flow and energy relationships. You will record findings, justify decisions and check continuity, pressure assumptions and consistency of the operating data.
- Mine Ventilation. Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
- Mine Management. Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
- Mine Environment Management And Monitoring. Explore the control of pollution and the reliable operation of environmental services. Practice centres on an environmental-service performance and improvement report, drawing on sources, pathways and receiving environments and sampling, monitoring and data quality. You will record findings, justify decisions and check monitoring quality, treatment assumptions and maintenance feasibility.
- Research And Development. Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: analyse applied problems and justify your decisions using relevant evidence.
- Suggested practical assessment: complete a supervised project or portfolio with a clear method, results and evaluation.
- Present and defend your recommendations, then revise the work in response to assessor feedback.
Practical application
Develop a mining or metallurgical case study using supplied operational data, a process diagram and a supervised technical investigation.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Foundations and shared practice
National Studies
Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Mine Occupational Health And Safety Management
Explore the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Learning outcomes
- Identify hazards and select controls appropriate to the task.
- Follow an agreed safe-work and quality-check procedure.
- Record an incident or defect and recommend corrective action.
Main topics
- Hazard identification and exposure routes
- Risk assessment and control hierarchy
- Safe work preparation and protective equipment
- Environmental impacts and waste handling
- Incident reporting and emergency communication
- Inspection records and corrective action
Practical task
For Mine Occupational Health And Safety Management, prepare a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Practical integration
Project
Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving mine planning and designing, blasthole drilling. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
Learning outcomes
- Define a feasible project with clear success criteria.
- Develop and evaluate a response using technical evidence.
- Present the completed project and defend its conclusions.
Main topics
- Project problem, purpose and scope
- Review of relevant technical evidence
- Plan, resources and milestones
- Implementation or structured investigation
- Testing, interpretation and limitations
- Final report, demonstration and reflection
Practical task
Develop a mining or metallurgical case study using supplied operational data, a process diagram and a supervised technical investigation.
Assessment
An approved brief, progress evidence, the final output and an individual presentation are assessed against the stated project criteria.
On The Job Education And Training
Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect mine planning and designing, blasthole drilling with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
Learning outcomes
- Complete agreed duties within the supervised role.
- Maintain a traceable record of work and feedback.
- Evaluate progress and identify specific development needs.
Main topics
- Workplace induction and agreed duties
- Applying technical knowledge to real work
- Work records and evidence of contribution
- Team communication and professional conduct
- Supervisor feedback and skills development
- Reflective review and future learning priorities
Practical task
Complete supervised duties linked to National Diploma in Mining and Mine Engineering. Keep a logbook, samples of permitted work and supervisor feedback.
Assessment
Assessment uses the agreed work plan, supervisor observation, work evidence and an individual reflective discussion.
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate mine planning and designing, blasthole drilling within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Develop a mining or metallurgical case study using supplied operational data, a process diagram and a supervised technical investigation.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
Specialist subjects
Mine Planning And Designing
Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and interfaces of a defined mineral-production stage.
- Interpret operational data without exceeding the authorised learner role.
- Prepare a supported performance or risk-control recommendation.
Main topics
- Resource, geology and production context
- Process stages and material movement
- Equipment roles and production records
- Ground, worker and environmental risks
- Quality, recovery and performance measures
- Authorised procedures, reporting and improvement
Practical task
For Mine Planning And Designing, prepare a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Blasthole Drilling
Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and interfaces of a defined mineral-production stage.
- Interpret operational data without exceeding the authorised learner role.
- Prepare a supported performance or risk-control recommendation.
Main topics
- Resource, geology and production context
- Process stages and material movement
- Equipment roles and production records
- Ground, worker and environmental risks
- Quality, recovery and performance measures
- Authorised procedures, reporting and improvement
Practical task
For Blasthole Drilling, prepare a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Mine Blasting 1
Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and interfaces of a defined mineral-production stage.
- Interpret operational data without exceeding the authorised learner role.
- Prepare a supported performance or risk-control recommendation.
Main topics
- Resource, geology and production context
- Process stages and material movement
- Equipment roles and production records
- Ground, worker and environmental risks
- Quality, recovery and performance measures
- Authorised procedures, reporting and improvement
Practical task
For Mine Blasting 1, prepare a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Mine Blasting 2
Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and interfaces of a defined mineral-production stage.
- Interpret operational data without exceeding the authorised learner role.
- Prepare a supported performance or risk-control recommendation.
Main topics
- Resource, geology and production context
- Process stages and material movement
- Equipment roles and production records
- Ground, worker and environmental risks
- Quality, recovery and performance measures
- Authorised procedures, reporting and improvement
Practical task
For Mine Blasting 2, prepare a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Rock Mechanics
Explore the behaviour of ground materials and their effects on engineering work. Practice centres on a ground-condition report using supplied site and test data, drawing on soil and rock identification and site information and sampling records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the separation of observations, assumptions and conclusions.
Learning outcomes
- Describe ground conditions using observations and test records.
- Interpret a defined soil or rock behaviour problem.
- Recommend a justified next investigation or construction consideration.
Main topics
- Soil and rock identification
- Site information and sampling records
- Moisture, density and material behaviour
- Stress, settlement and shear concepts
- Ground conditions and construction choices
- Test interpretation and reporting uncertainty
Practical task
For Rock Mechanics, prepare a ground-condition report using supplied site and test data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the separation of observations, assumptions and conclusions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Hydrology And Mine Drainage
Explore the movement, storage and control of water or other fluids. Practice centres on a flow-system diagram and calculation portfolio, drawing on fluid properties and pressure and continuity, flow and energy relationships. You will record findings, justify decisions and check continuity, pressure assumptions and consistency of the operating data.
Learning outcomes
- Represent a defined flow system with consistent quantities.
- Calculate a flow, pressure or resource requirement.
- Evaluate operation using measurements and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Fluid properties and pressure
- Continuity, flow and energy relationships
- Pipes, channels, pumps and losses
- Measurement and operating data
- System selection and resource constraints
- Performance, maintenance and reporting
Practical task
For Hydrology And Mine Drainage, prepare a flow-system diagram and calculation portfolio in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of continuity, pressure assumptions and consistency of the operating data.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Mine Ventilation
Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and interfaces of a defined mineral-production stage.
- Interpret operational data without exceeding the authorised learner role.
- Prepare a supported performance or risk-control recommendation.
Main topics
- Resource, geology and production context
- Process stages and material movement
- Equipment roles and production records
- Ground, worker and environmental risks
- Quality, recovery and performance measures
- Authorised procedures, reporting and improvement
Practical task
For Mine Ventilation, prepare a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Mine Management
Explore the evaluation of mineral-production systems through technical evidence and responsible operating controls. Practice centres on a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data, drawing on resource, geology and production context and process stages and material movement. You will record findings, justify decisions and check material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and interfaces of a defined mineral-production stage.
- Interpret operational data without exceeding the authorised learner role.
- Prepare a supported performance or risk-control recommendation.
Main topics
- Resource, geology and production context
- Process stages and material movement
- Equipment roles and production records
- Ground, worker and environmental risks
- Quality, recovery and performance measures
- Authorised procedures, reporting and improvement
Practical task
For Mine Management, prepare a mining or metallurgical case report using supplied operating data in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of material consistency, evidence of risk control and the limits of the proposed action.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Mine Environment Management And Monitoring
Explore the control of pollution and the reliable operation of environmental services. Practice centres on an environmental-service performance and improvement report, drawing on sources, pathways and receiving environments and sampling, monitoring and data quality. You will record findings, justify decisions and check monitoring quality, treatment assumptions and maintenance feasibility.
Learning outcomes
- Identify an environmental problem and relevant monitoring evidence.
- Compare treatment or prevention options using stated criteria.
- Prepare an improvement plan with practical performance measures.
Main topics
- Sources, pathways and receiving environments
- Sampling, monitoring and data quality
- Treatment or prevention principles
- Operating resources and maintenance
- Waste handling and environmental responsibilities
- Performance assessment and improvement planning
Practical task
For Mine Environment Management And Monitoring, prepare an environmental-service performance and improvement report in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of monitoring quality, treatment assumptions and maintenance feasibility.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Research And Development
Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a question suited to the available evidence and resources.
- Collect and analyse information using a documented method.
- Present conclusions supported by findings and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Problem definition and research questions
- Finding and evaluating literature
- Sampling and data-collection choices
- Consent, confidentiality and research integrity
- Organising and analysing evidence
- Interpreting results and reporting limitations
Practical task
For Research And Development, prepare a research proposal and small investigation in a mining and mine engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Instructors
