Slindile Luthuli

Mining Qualifications Authority

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act No. 29 of 1996 and is a registered Sector Education and Training Authority for the Mining and Minerals Sector in terms of the Skills development Act No 97 of 1998. The SAQA Act No 58 of 1995 requires of the MQA to generate unit standards and qualifications and enables the organisation to be an Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) body for the sector. The MQA must support the objectives of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) as determined by the Department of Labour and also support the objectives of the Mining Charter in terms of the Minerals and Petrolium Resources Development Act (No. 29 of 1996).The MQA has adopted its Constitution, Policy and Five year business plan. The MQA is responsible for driving transformation in the Mining and Minerals Sector through the facilitation of skills development in terms of the Skills Development Act (No 97 OF 1998). In addition, the MQA in the execution of its mandate supports the broad based socio economic empowerment charter (Mining charter) in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No. 29 of 1996). The priorities outlined in the Mining Charter include amongst others, human resources development aimed at redressing the imbalances brought by the previous dispensation, increased participation of women in mining, and the empowerment of previously disadvantaged communities. Core Functions include: Developing and Implementing a Sector Skills Plan; Developing Unit Standards and Qualifications for the Sector; Establishing, Registering, Administering and Promoting Learnerships and Apprenticeship Administration; Maintaining the Quality of Standards, Qualifications and Learning Provision; and Disbursing Grants from the Skills Development Levy.