The MQA prepared a Sector Skills Plan (SSP) for the Mining and Minerals Sector (MMS) for the period April 2005 to March 2009 (the period covered by NSDS II). In 2005 the Department of Labour (DoL)announced that it would require SETAs to update their SSPs annually and in 2009 the term covered by NSDS II was extended. This document is an update of the SSP for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 adn will be submitted to the DoL on 31 August 2009.