Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate leaching equipment and ancillary equipment.
This unit of competency applies to a variety of leaching processes as used in a metalliferous processing plant. Examples include:
acid
alkaline
bacterial leach
dump (run of mine ore)
heap (processed ore for leaching)
in situ
pressure.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to start up and shut down and operate the equipment, monitor its performance and make adjustments, and identify problems and take appropriate action.
This unit of competency applies to an individual who may work alone although under routine direction and supervision. They may work as part of a team or group and will work in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Prepare for work | 1.1 | Receive and give shift handover |
1.2 | Identify work requirements | ||
1.3 | Identify and control hazards | ||
1.4 | Coordinate with appropriate personnel | ||
1.5 | Check for recent work undertaken on leaching equipment | ||
1.6 | Note any outstanding/incomplete work | ||
1.7 | Check operational status of leaching equipment | ||
2 | Operate leaching equipment in accordance with procedures | 2.1 | Identify the type of leaching equipment and duty |
2.2 | Adjust feed rate and reagents as appropriate to type of leaching equipment and duty | ||
2.3 | Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork, taking appropriate action on unexpected readings and trends | ||
3 | Recognise and take action on abnormal situations in accordance with procedures | 3.1 | Monitor leaching equipment and ancillary equipment frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses |
3.2 | Identify impacts of any changes upstream and downstream | ||
3.3 | Recognise situations which may require action | ||
3.4 | Resolve routine problems | ||
3.5 | Take actions on other abnormal situations to make safe and have the situation resolved | ||
4 | Isolate and de-isolate leaching equipment | 4.1 | Complete any required pre-start checks |
4.2 | Start up/shut down/changeover leaching equipment according to the plant type and duty in liaison with other personnel | ||
4.3 | Isolate leaching equipment | ||
4.4 | Make safe for required work | ||
4.5 | Check leaching equipment is ready to be returned to service | ||
4.6 | De-isolate and prepare leaching equipment for return to service |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:
start up and shut down leaching equipment
monitor and operate leaching equipment to meet specifications
recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems
determine the most likely cause of routine problems
take action to ensure a timely return to full performance
isolate and de-isolate equipment
identify hazards and apply hazard control procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
process parameters and limits, including temperature, pressure, flow and pH
routine problems, faults and their symptoms and the corrective action to be taken
relevant alarms and actions
all items on a schematic of the leaching equipment and functions of each
physics and chemistry relevant to leaching equipment and the processes used
function and troubleshooting of major internal components and their problems, such as internals, supports, nozzles or agitators
hierarchy of control
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation of an operating plant
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report or other evidence, focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of an appropriate industrial item of leaching equipment requiring demonstration of operation, start-up and shutdown procedures and responding to problems
may use industry-based simulation for part only of the unit where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
demonstration of skills
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence. |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant |
Hazards | Hazards include one or more of the following: electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water) working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks extreme weather other hazards that might arise |
Routine problems | Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of the following: seal/gasket leaks pressure loss/low flow blockages/build-up/fouling erosion/wear ancillary equipment problems Known solutions are drawn from one or more of the following: procedures training remembered experience Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures. |
Ancillary equipment | Ancillary equipment includes one or more of the following: agitators pumps spray nozzles/heads |
Logs and reports | Logs and reports include one or more of the following: paper or electronic-based logs and reports verbal/radio reports reporting items found which require action |
Action | Action in accordance with procedures includes the following: determining problems needing action accessing and applying relevant technical and plant data applying appropriate problem solving techniques to determine possible fault causes rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred reporting problems outside area of responsibility/ability to designated person |
Resolve routine problems | Resolving routine problems includes one or more of the following: making adjustments to the equipment (e.g. flow and pressure) carrying out minor maintenance within operator's skill level identifying and reporting problems outside operator's scope of ability identifying and controlling hazards related to leaching equipment and surrounding areas |
Start up/shut down as required | Start up/shut down as required includes the following: start up and shut down to/from normal operating conditions start up and shut down to/from isolated, cold or empty start up and shut down to/from other conditions/situations experienced on the plant |
Work requirements | Work requirements come from briefings, handovers and work orders and include one or more of the following: compliance documentation product specifications nature and scope of tasks achievement targets operational conditions lighting conditions plant or equipment defects hazards and potential hazards coordination requirements or issues |
Sectors
Competency Field
Operations