Blasting Ticket Explanation
Updated 9th July 2017 7:00 hrs
By Formal definition, Blasting is a means of breaking up part or the earth’s surface or anything by means of explosives. Dictionary definition should also be within the same logic.
Blasting Ticket on the other hand is a qualification given to a person who has been found competent to carry out lots of key areas surrounding blasting. This involves key aspects such as the safe transportation, drilling, making up primers, charging holes, detonating and lots of other key areas.
DMR and MQA
It is our duty as training providers to keep updating you the public on some of the major developments in as far as such technical aspects are concerned. To date as of 9th July 2017, we have to inform you that the implementation, regulation and quality assurance of Blasting Ticket of Competence is now jointly operated by both the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and The Department of Mineral Resources.
There are lots of things that keep changing and to keep clarity, we shall not throw it all out here. What you need to know as of now that the course is now super regulated and quality assured and thus by both the MQA and DMR.
Until this time, to be called a Competent Blasting Officer hence issued with a Blasting Ticket, you ought to have studied over 17 core unit standards and over 10 Elementary ones. one also needs to have accumulated over 400 Credits Points. This was found to be a huge load on the learner and so it was divided into three main Qualifications which were;
1. Blasting Assistant
2. Blasting Practice
3. Competent Person A/B
Regulations
In terms of the Mines Health and Safety Act and Regulations (Act 29 of 1996), and for purposes of Regulation 14.1 (1) and 14.1 (5), One has to be declared as Competent Person, Must posses maximum experience in Blasting and must have been an Assistant in a blasting practice to accumulate the required experience.
The Misconcept
After writing a very tough and well regulated and monitored Exam, a Blasting Ticket will therefore Only be issued to someone already working in the mine and mostly assisting with Blasting Operations in one way or the other. It is not a qualification that will be given to a novice. That is why you must have a minimum of 2 years work experience in addition to your Diploma/Degree in Mine Related Profession or Four years Experience Without a Formal Qualification from a Tertiary Institution. The problem we have gathered over years is that someone with no blasting experience wants to get a blasting ticket after attending formal training without Experience. This is not Possible. So you may be asking what next? Well,Call us for more information Or; Register with us