PATHLENSA RISKATLAS.CO.ZA PRODUCT · SOUTH AFRICA
RISKATLAS.CO.ZA
Geophysical Technician
OFO Code: 311704
Last checked 3 October 2026
1. Occupation identity
- OFO code
- 311704
- Occupation
- Geophysical Technician
- Classification
- OFO 2021
- Major group
- TECHNICIANS AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
- Unit group
- 3117 · Mining and Metallurgical Technicians
Official description
Mining and metallurgical technicians perform technical tasks to assist in research and experiments related to metallurgy, in improving methods of extracting solid minerals, oil and gas, and in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of mines and mine installations, of systems for transporting and storing oil and natural gas, and for extraction of metals from ores.
More official OFO detail
Specialisations: Surface Mining Geological Technician, Soil Mechanic Technician, Marine Mining Geological Technician, Earth Science Laboratory Technician, Geological Laboratory Technician, Geological Technician, Ore Reserve Technician, Geoscience Laboratory Technician, Remote Sensing Technicians, Mineral Resource Technician, Geotechnician, Underground Mining Geological Technician, Geochemical Laboratory Technician, Geological Technical Officer, Earth Science Technical Officer, Soil Science Technical Officer
- Collecting and preparing rock, mineral and metal samples, performing laboratory tests to determine properties, analyzing and reporting test results and maintaining testing equipment
- Helping plan and design mines, mine shafts, tunnels and underground first-aid facilities
- Monitoring technical, regulatory and safety aspects of the construction, installation, operation, maintenance and repair of mineral ore, oil and natural gas exploration, extraction, transport and storage installations and of mineral processing plants
- Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for mineral, oil and natural gas exploration, extraction, processing and transport projects
- Providing technical assistance to aid in research on and development of processes to determine the properties of metals and new alloys
- Providing technical assistance in geological and topographical surveys, and in the design and layout of oil, natural gas and mineral ore extraction and transportation systems, and processing and refining plants for minerals and metals
- Using microscopes, electromagnetic irradiation machines, spectrometers, spectrographs, densitometers and tension testing machines
- Assisting scientists in the use of electrical, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in both laboratory and production activities to obtain data indicating potential sources of metallic ore, gas, or petroleum
2. Demand status
Demand evidence not yet linked
This is an official OFO 2021 occupation. Demand status is separate evidence and is not inferred from inclusion in the OFO.
A national demand signal is not a promise of a vacancy in your town.
3. Salary evidence
No sourced salary record has been ingested for this OFO code yet.
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5. Qualification
Qualification evidence pending.
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7. Industry, sector and provincial context
National occupation classification. Industry and provincial context are shown only where a separate official source supports the link.
No source-backed modern OFO↔SIC 7 industry link has been ingested for this occupation yet. PathLens does not infer one from the job title.
Browse the official South African industry classification →8. Next steps — official links
9. Decision tools
10. Sources for this page
- DHET Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO 2021) · Planned
- DHET Occupations in High Demand · Planned
- Critical Skills List · Planned
- QCTO qualifications and occupational certificates · Planned
- Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey · Planned
- SETA Sector Skills Plans / hard-to-fill vacancy tables · Planned