Table of Content
What Must You Do After Completing All the 'Annexure E' Modules?
Can I Ask My Previous Employer to Issue Me With the Letter of Sobriety?
Guidelines to Completing the Record of Qualifications and Experience
What is the Syllabus to the GCC Mines and Works Plant Engineering Exam?
What is the Syllabus to the GCC Mines and Works Legal Knowledge Exam?
1. Introduction
Obtaining the Mine Engineers' Certificate of Competency (GCC Mines & Works) is a long process.
It would help if you did some genuine introspection before starting the GCC Mines & Works' nine-step journey.
At this point, we have provided guidelines to the first five steps of the GCC Mines & Works journey:
In this post, we provide the guidelines on:
The application to write the GCC Mines & Works examinations (Step 6)
The GCC Mines & Works examinations (Step 7)
2. What Must You Do After Completing All the 'Annexure E' Modules?
After completing your 'Annexure E' modules (Step 5), you need to apply to write the GCC Mines & Works Examinations.
The application process is pretty simple:
Complete the DMR 319 form from the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR),
Attach a certified copy of your identity document (you must be above the age of 23),
Attach a Letter of Sobriety (good conduct),
Attach a Record of Service, and
Attach 100% completed Annexure E (i.e., all modules signed off by your Engineering Mentor)
The DMR will issue you with an acceptance letter if you have satisfied all the requirements. The GCC Mines & Works letter of acceptance is valid for two years or four consecutive examinations (whichever comes last).
Ensure you keep the letter safe and only submit a certified copy when registering to write the exams (step 8).
3. Renewal of GCC Mines & Works Examination Acceptance Letter
You are allowed to apply for a re-issue of the examination acceptance letter once it has expired. The results you obtained during the exam sittings will be a determining factor when considering your application for re-issue.
The Commission of Examiners will re-evaluate your submission if you obtain less than 20% in the exams.
4. How Do I Complete the DMR 319 Form?
You can get the DMR 319 form from the DMR website or download the attachment below.
The DMR 319 is a one-page form. You need to fill in your details and mark whether you are pursuing the Electrical or Mechanical Certificate of Competency. Make sure you select the exact Certificate of Competency you selected when applying for acceptance as an EIT.
5. How Do I Complete a Letter of Sobriety?
The Letter of Sobriety provides information about:
your conduct during your training, and
your ability to fulfill the role of a Mine Engineer.
The DMR provides a template on their website. You can also download the template below.
Here are the essential aspects you need to do/consider when completing the Letter of Sobriety:
The contents of the Letter of Sobriety template need to be on the company letterhead. The company letterhead needs to have the company logo and contact details at least.
Make sure the letter has a date.
Make sure you complete your details in full. The details (full names and ID number) need to match your application form and ID document.
Your Engineering Mentor must sign the mentor declaration. Remember that the Engineering Mentor must be registered with DMR and must have supervised you during the completion of your 'Annexure E.'
The Engineering Manager at the Mine needs to sign the Engineering Manager declaration. The Engineering Mentor and the Engineering Manager may be the same person.
6. Can I Ask My Previous Employer to Issue Me With the Letter of Sobriety?
Yes. It will be the previous employer's discretion to agree to issuing and signing the Letter of Sobriety.
Be strategic when changing employers. Ensure that you complete your 'Annexure E' and get your Letter of Sobriety before changing employers. It may be challenging to get your previous employers' Engineering Manager to issue a letter on the company letterhead and sign.
7. What Must I Do If I Had Multiple Engineering Mentors?
One of your Engineering Mentors can sign your Letter of Sobriety. Try to make use of the Engineering Mentor at the same company as the letterhead.
8. How do I Complete the Record of Service?
The first thing you need to do is complete the Record of Qualification and Experience. You can download the form from the DMR website or download it below.
The Record of Service is a letter from the employer confirming that the company employed you. The Record of Service also provides brief details regarding your employment, e.g., responsibilities, role, etc.
The Human Resources (HR) department typically issues the Record of Service. You can download the Record of Service Template below if the company does not have one or the one they have does not include all the necessary details.
9. Guidelines to Completing the Record of Qualifications and Experience
B1 - Add your full names and surname as they appear in your identity document. Add your highest qualification under the 'professional and technical qualification' field.
B2 - Add all your qualifications and professional certification (e.g., Pr. Eng, Pr. Tech, etc.). You can use the 'remarks' column to communicate additional information, e.g., "qualification in progress."
B3 - You need to include different positions you have fulfilled. Make sure you include the employer's name and the period of employment on that specific role. You may have the same employer and different functions (i.e., indicating that you were getting promotions or reassigned to other positions). Mark the experience gained as mechanical ('M' symbol), electrical ('E' symbol), or mechanical & electrical ('M-E' symbol).
The section intends to indicate to the Commission of Examiners the type of experience you have. For example, if you do not have any drawing experience, you will leave that field empty.
Tip: Include the last five years in detail and bulk the rest of your experience in one row. For example, say you have 20 years of experience. In the first ten years, you had various roles as an artisan. You can write 'Artisan' under the post's designation, add the employer(s), the period, and the type of experience gained.
Note: You can leave this section empty if you do not have any experience.
10. Where Do I Submit the Application to Write the Examination?
You can then collate and submit all your documents to the Department of Mineral Resources' postal address:
The Secretary
Commission of Examiners: MECC
Private Bag X59
Arcadia
0007
11. What is the Syllabus for the GCC Mines and Works Plant Engineering Exam?
Officially, the DMR states that the GCC Mines & Works Plant Engineering Exam Syllabi is according to Annexure D of their guidelines:
However, we have found that the GCC Mines & Works Plant Engineering Exam content aligns with the modules from 'Annexure E.'
12. What is the Syllabus to the GCC Mines and Works Legal Knowledge Exam?
The GCC Mines & Works Legal Knowledge Exam Syllabi includes:
The Mine Health & Safety Act, as amended,
The Mine Health & Safety Act Regulations, as amended,
The Minerals Act Regulations, as amended, and
The Codes of Practice under Section 9(3) of the Mine Health & Safety Act.
13. When are the GCC Mines & Works Exams Written?
The GCC Mines & Works Exams are written every year in June and November - typically during the first and second weeks.
You can write both exams in June/November, or you can choose to write one exam in June and the other in November. The first week is usually for writing the plant engineering exam. The following week is for the legal knowledge exam.
Mechanical and electrical GCC Mines & Works candidates write the same exam papers. In other words, there is no paper for mechanical and electrical.
You will need to register to write the exams at an approved TVET college. You will have to produce your DMR GCC Mines & Works letter of acceptance and certified copy of your identity document when registering to write the exams.
14. DMR GCC Mines & Works Examination Rules
The following DMR examination rules apply:
You have two years or four consecutive exam sittings to write both the GCC Mines & Works plant engineering and legal knowledge exams.
The pass mark is 50% for both exams.
You will forfeit an exam passed if you do not pass both exams within the two years or four consecutive exam sittings.
You will have to re-apply for the examination and complete at least one year of further training if you get less than 20% after two examination attempts.
You will have to redo your 'Annexure E' modules if you fail to pass the GCC Mines & Works exams in two periods of two years.
15. Conclusion
Once you complete your 'Annexure E' Modules, you will be eligible to apply to write the GCC Mines & Works examinations. The application process is as follows:
Complete the DMR 319 form from the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR),
Attach a certified copy of your identity document,
Attach a Letter of Sobriety (good conduct),
Attach a Record of Service, and
Attach 100% completed Annexure E (i.e., all modules signed off by your Engineering Mentor)
The GCC Mines & Works Exams are written every year in June and November - typically during the first and second weeks.
The 'Annexure E' Modules form the basis of the GCC Mines & Works Plant Engineering Exam syllabi.
The GCC Mines & Works Legal Knowledge Exam Syllabi includes:
The Mine Health & Safety Act, as amended,
The Mine Health & Safety Act Regulations, as amended,
The Minerals Act Regulations, as amended, and
The Codes of Practice under Section 9(3) of the Mine Health & Safety Act.
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