Assessor Resource
PMAOPS361A
Operate a smelting furnace
Assessment tool
Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024
This unit applies to a plant technician who has the responsibility for the operation of a smelting furnace in an industrial scale metalliferous processing facility.
This unit applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.
This unit requires a detailed knowledge of the smelting furnace and related equipment, operating processes at high temperatures, handling molten metal, procedures and metallurgy to the extent of being able to determine and apply the raw materials feed. The plant technician will be expected to take over the operation from others and take responsibility for the operation whilst there. The plant technician would be expected to contribute to start-ups and shutdowns of the smelting furnace, but it is understood that this may be the responsibility of others.
This unit does NOT require the operation of a central control panel.
This unit has been written with ore smelting furnaces in mind, where the feed is in the form of ore, crushed rock or a mixture which may include flux materials and the product is molten metal and slag. However, it should also be applicable to other metals or ores with appropriate contextualisation.
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge needed to operate a smelting furnace.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)