General instructions

Read the following instructions before sending in your application to write an exam:

• An application form must be completed in full.
• A commissioner of oaths must certify all copies as true copies of the original document.
• Do not cancel the revenue stamp/s and paste the stamp/s in the space provided.
• An original testimonial of sobriety and suitability of the prospective candidate by a certificated mine manager must be supplied. The testimonial must be on the company letterhead, with full contact details.
• Ensure that you have signed your original Blasting Certificate.
• Your record of service must accurately indicate each occupation together with the total risk work shifts worked in that occupation. The record of service must clearly reflect whether the applicant is still engaged at the time of application or indicate the date of termination of service. Note: Where the record of service indicates a certain occupation to date without indicating this date, such occupation will be disregarded in the evaluation of your acceptance.
• Detailed instructions for the guidance of examining authorities and the rules for the conduct of the examination can be found in Directive A5 which is available from the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate offices.

There are a number of regulations pertaining to the Mine Overseer's Certificate of Competency. These include:

Qualifications of candidates

An applicant shall not be accepted as a candidate for examination unless he has produced evidence satisfactory to the Commission:

• That he has attained the age of 22 years;
• Of his sobriety and general good conduct;
• That he is the holder of a permanent blasting certificate recognised by the Chief Inspector for the purposes of the examination;
• That, with certain exceptions (see below), he has had at least four years of practical experience, acceptable to the Commission, gained in the workings of a mine and such experience shall include at least six months at the working face on rock-breaking or winning minerals or work directly connected therewith; and
• That he has had at least six months' mining experience, acceptable to the Commission, in the workings of the class of mine appropriate to the certificate for which he wishes to qualify.

An applicant who can satisfy the Commission:

• That he holds a mining engineer's degree of a South African University; or
• That he holds a mechanical or electrical engineer's certificate of competency for mines and works issued in accordance with these regulations; or
• That he holds any other degree, certificate or diploma recognised by the Chief Inspector for the purposes of the examination, may be exempted from not more than two of the said four years of practical experience in the workings of a mine.

The experience gained by the applicant in the workings of a mine during the unexempted period referred to above shall be such as is acceptable to the Commission and as much thereof as may be required by the Commission shall be practical experience additional to the experience prescribed for the said degree, certificate or diploma.

Examination subjects

A certificate shall not be issued unless the Commission is satisfied that the candidate possesses a sufficient knowledge of mining practice, shaft practice, ventilation, gases, dust control, underground machinery, mine plans and the Act and the regulations made or deemed to have been made thereunder.

Download exam forms

• Application for examination [PDF, 296KB]
• Application for acceptance [PDF, 2MB]

DME regional office exam centres

Please note that examination forms are available at these centres. Or click here to download them off this website.

Limpopo region (Polokwane)	Mpumalanga region (Witbank)
Department of Minerals and Energy	Department of Minerals and Energy
Dorp Street 101	Province Building
Polokwane	Cnr Botha and Paul Kruger streets
0699	Witbank , 1035
Tel : (015) 287-4700	Tel : (013) 656-1448
Fax : (015) 287-4740	Fax: (013) 690-2390
North West region (Klerksdorp)	North West region (Rustenburg)
Department of Minerals and Energy	Department of Minerals and Energy
1 Charl de Klerk Street	Moumo Street, Tlhabane Complex
Senwes Building	Tlhabane House Suite 310, 2nd Floor
Klerksdorp, 2570	Rustenburg, 0309
Tel : (018) 464 1631	Tel: (014) 565-6417
Fax: (018) 462 9039	Fax: (014) 565-6424
Free State region (Welkom)	Gauteng region (Braamfontein)
Department of Minerals and Energy	Department of Minerals and Energy
Cnr Ryk and De Kaap Street	209 Smith Street
Welkom	Braamfontein
9460	2017
Tel: (057) 391-1300	Tel: (011) 358-9700
Fax: (057) 352-2270	Fax: (011) 339-6910
Northern Cape region (Kimberley)	Eastern Cape region (Port Elizabeth)
Department of Minerals and Energy	Department of Minerals and Energy
Liberty Life Building	190 Govin Mbeki Avenue
1st Floor	Fidelity Building
Kimberley	14th Floor
8301	Port Elizabeth
Tel: (053) 830-0857	6000
Fax: (053) 830-0827	Tel: (041) 585-3862
	Fax: (041) 585-3881
Western Cape region (Cape Town)	Durban
Department of Minerals and Energy	Department of Minerals and Energy
Lower Herengracht Road	333 Smit Street
Customs House	Durban
4th Floor Foreshore	4001
Cape Town, 8012	Tel: (031) 333-9400/1/2/3
Tel: (021) 419-6105	Fax: (031) 333-9475
Fax: (021) 419-6260