A review of GISc education, its value and use in the mining and exploration industries

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the geographical information science (GISc) competencies, knowledge, and skills required by practitioners working in the mining and exploration industries. The paper promotes the appropriate design of education programs including short learning programs (SLP) as well as emerging delivery mechanisms such as distance learning opportunities. Programs are submitted for quality control through certification and accreditation at quality control councils such as the Council for Higher Education (CHE), South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC). The paper concludes with a proposed module composition that is still subject to further consultation and input from the mining industry.