Speaker
Description
The regulation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in South Africa expanded beyond the traditional nuclear sector with the authorisation of mining activities in 1993, bringing industries such as gold, copper, phosphate, mineral sands and rare earth mining and minerals processing under formal radiation protection requirements. Compliance with the regulatory framework requires competent radiation protection personnel throughout the life cycle of mining operations, including remediation and closure activities.
The increasing demand for Radiation Protection Monitors (RPMs), Radiation Protection Officers (RPOs) and Radiation Protection Specialists (RPSs) has highlighted a significant skills gap within the South African mining sector. Based on approximately 130 to 140 active NORM authorisations, the current pool of specialist resources is estimated at six (6) individuals against an estimated requirement of at least thirteen (13), representing a shortage of approximately 54%.
This paper examines the competency requirements arising from the NORM regulatory framework and evaluates existing development pathways available to radiation protection personnel. A collaborative initiative between Palabora Copper and the University of South Africa (UNISA), undertaken through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was established to develop targeted Short Learning Programmes aimed at addressing identified competency gaps.
The paper describes the process used to identify training needs, develop course content and align learning outcomes with regulatory and industry requirements. The proposed framework demonstrates how industry-academic collaboration can be used to address identified competency gaps and support the development of a sustainable radiation protection workforce. Recommendations are presented for structured career pathways, competency-based training programmes, and long-term skills development within South Africa's NORM-regulated industries