Colliery Training College
Surface Excavations

Competent Person A – Surface Excavations: Skills Programme

(MQA/SP/0175/18 (B))

The Competent Person A – Surface Excavations Skills Programme is a statutory requirement under theMine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) for individuals responsible for inspecting and declaring surface mining workplaces safe. This includesquarries, dumps, and stockpiles, whether blasted or non-blasted, and ensures compliance with Fall of Ground Regulations.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must meet the following minimum criteria to qualify for enrolment:

  • Provide a valid medical fitness certificate
  • Proficiency in reading and writing in English.
  • Possession of Surface Excavation/Opencast Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Required Documentation:

The following documents must be submitted prior to enrolment:

  • Completed CTC Training Application Form.
  • Completed CTC Personal Information Document.
  • Certified copy of South African ID, not older than three months from the date of certification.
  • Submit proof of payment for enrolment.

PPE includes:

  • Safety Boots
  • Overalls
  • Gloves
  • Masks
  • Safety goggles
  • Ear plugs
  • Hard hat

Training Approach and Duration:

  • Candidates will be required to attend an 8-day training programme at CTC which includes theoretical training and one day exposure at the mine.
  • Learners without prior experience in Surface Excavations Mines will be required to complete a workplace practical on-job logbook for 5 days. CTC offers services for practical exposure at a cost.
  • After completion of the on-job logbook, learners will have to be assessed practically.
  • Upon successful completion of both the theoretical and practical assessments, learners will be registered with the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) to enable formal certification.

Blasting Assistant (Surface Excavation): Skills Programme

(SP-CLA-G017)

ThisMQA-accredited skills programme prepares learners to operate asSurface Blasting Assistants in compliance with theMine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) andSAQA-registered unit standards. It is amandatory legal requirement for individuals assisting with explosives in surface excavation operations, ensuring safe, effective, and compliant blasting support.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must meet the following minimum criteria to qualify for enrolment:

  • Provide a valid medical fitness certificate
  • Proficiency in reading and writing in English.
  • Possession of Surface Excavation/Opencast Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Required Documentation:

The following documents must be submitted prior to enrolment:

  • Completed CTC Training Application Form.
  • Completed CTC Personal Information Document.
  • Certified copy of South African ID, not older than three months from the date of certification.
  • Submit proof of payment for enrolment.

 PPE includes

  • Safety Boots
  • Overalls
  • Gloves
  • Masks
  • Safety goggles
  • Ear plugs
  • Hard hat

Training Approach and Duration:

  • Candidates will be required to attend an 8-day training programme at CTC which includes theoretical training and one day exposure at the mine.
  • Learners without prior experience in a blasting bench of Surface Excavations Mines will be required to complete a workplace practical on-job logbook for 5 days. CTC offers services for practical exposure at a cost.
  • After completion of the on-job logbook, learners will have to be assessed practically.
  • Upon successful completion of both the theoretical and practical assessments, learners will be registered with the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) to enable formal certification.

Surface Blaster Qualification

Build the knowledge, practical skills and technical competence required to pursue a career as a qualified Surface Blaster in the mining industry.

CTC’s Surface Blaster Qualification provides training in blasting design, explosives management and essential safety procedures. Through practical training in a real mining environment, learners develop the competencies needed to conduct blasting operations safely and effectively.

The programme combines theoretical learning, practical experience and assessments to prepare candidates for the requirements of surface blasting operations and the relevant statutory examinations.

What You Will Learn:

The programme covers the following areas:

Mine health, safety and environmental procedures. Introduction to rock strata and surface mining conditions. Drilling operations and procedures. Introduction to explosives and explosives management. Blasting practices and procedures. Reading and interpreting mining plans. Transport procedures. Preparation for the statutory blasting board examination.

These subjects are drawn from the surface blasting training structure in CTC’s 2025 prospectus

Entry Requirements:

National Certificate pathway:

  • Grade 11 with Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, or N2 Mathematics.
  • Employer must be an MQA levy-paying organisation.

DMR pathway:

  • Grade 10.
  • N1 with six subjects.
  • ABET Level 3 or equivalent.

Candidates must also provide the required personal protective equipment (PPE), a valid certificate of medical fitness and a valid first aid certificate.

These requirements should be reconfirmed for the Hard Rock Surface Blaster Qualification.

Course Duration

CTC’s existing surface excavation programme offers:

Full-time training: 24 weeks.

Part-time training: Scheduled training over approximately six months.

The duration of the new Hard Rock Surface Blaster Qualification has not been independently confirmed.

Assessment and Certification

  • The existing programme includes theoretical and practical assessments, required workplace experience and preparation for the relevant blasting board examination.
  • Successful completion of training does not automatically mean that a learner has passed the statutory blasting examination. Candidates must meet the applicable examination requirements.

Surface Blaster Board Examinations Preparation

Prepare for your Surface Blaster Board Examination with focused training designed to strengthen your technical knowledge, reinforce essential blasting principles and improve examination readiness.

CTC’s Surface Blaster Board Examinations Preparation programme provides intensive, examination-focused instruction for candidates preparing for the relevant statutory blasting assessments.

The programme helps learners consolidate their understanding of surface blasting operations and approach their examinations with greater confidence.


What You Will Learn

Preparation focuses on revising the technical knowledge and competencies associated with surface blasting.
Relevant subject areas from CTC’s existing surface blasting curriculum include:
Mine health and safety requirements.
Surface mining operations.
Drilling and blasting procedures.
Explosives management.
Blasting safety protocols.
Mining plans and operational procedures.
Preparation for the final statutory examination

Course Duration:

1 week, based on the board preparation phase listed in CTC’s 2025 surface blasting training programme.

The duration of the standalone Hard Rock Surface Blaster Board Examinations Preparation course should be confirmed.

Assessment and Examination

  • The programme prepares candidates for the relevant statutory Surface Blaster Board Examination.
  • The examination date is determined by the responsible government department.
  • Important: Completing the preparation programme does not guarantee examination admission or a passing resul