ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for bacterial oxidation process

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Receive, interprets and clarifies shift changeover details

1.3. Communicate with other personnel using approved communication method

1.4. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities

1.5. Select appropriate type of auxiliary equipment for work activities

1.6. Perform equipment pre-start checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation

1.7. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards

1.8. Identify, address and report environmental issues

1.9. Adhere to emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant

2. Start-up equipment in sequence

2.1. Carry out start-up procedures and complete start-up checks according to plant configurations and system requirements

2.2. Confirm plant is operational

3. Operate and monitor equipment

3.1. Read and interpret data from equipment indicators to determine bacterial oxidation progress

3.2. Continuously inspect and monitor plant and identify bacterial oxidation process defects and potential problems

3.3. Assess sulphuric content of ore according to bacterial oxidation parameters

3.4. Make appropriate adjustments to oxidation process to optimise targets

3.5. Adjust equipment to approved operating parameters to optimise oxidation performance, maintain efficient oxidation and to meet product quality targets

3.6. Control feed to oxidation equipment

3.7. Add required nutrients and oxygen to approved operating parameters

3.8. Carry out minor maintenance to maintain condition of equipment

3.9. Complete all required documentation clearly, concisely and on time

3.10. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift

4. Conduct housekeeping activities

4.1. Clean plant to maintain condition of all equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations

4.2. Manage and report hazards to maintain a safe working environment

5. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment

5.1. Shutdown or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements

5.2. Perform post shutdown or isolation checks

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to conduct bacterial oxidation:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for conducting bacterial oxidation

handle hazardous goods

Identify and manage hazards

apply lifting techniques (manual, automated)

maintain records

monitor operations

report defects

apply safe work practices

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to conduct bacterial oxidation:

bacteria inhibitors

bacterial oxidation plant (basic) and process

break down procedures

contaminants

depressant identification and activator principles

emergency procedures

environmental procedures

equipment processes, limitations and operating parameters

equipment safety requirements

hazardous good procedures and consequences of spills

identifying repair requirements

isolation procedures

metallurgical and technical data

nutrient types and how to use then

OHS procedures

operational procedures and checks

site procedures

types of ores and grades (basic)

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting bacterial oxidation

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of bacterial oxidation

working with others to undertake and complete the bacterial oxidation in a way that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of bacterial oxidation that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate:

working with others to undertake and complete the bacterial oxidation

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Legislation may include Acts and regulations dealing with:

mining safety and health

mine inspection

OHS

explosives

Auxiliary equipment may be anything that is portable and mobile that is not part of the fixed infrastructure, and may include:

forklift

gantry cranes and attachments

hand and power tools

hoses for water and air

loader and bobcat

pump systems

Equipment pre-start checks may include:

availability of equipment

detection of conditions that are unusual

fluid levels

job requirements

personnel availability

work through plant

Environmental issues may include:

drainage

emissions

flora and fauna

hazardous chemicals

noise

recycling

run-off

spills

waste management and disposal

water quality

Plant may include:

acid pumping system

acid storage tank

agitators and gearboxes

air ducting and air sparge pipes

bacterial oxidation / leaching tanks

conditioning tanks

cooling water pipelines

counter current decantation thickeners

flocculent mixing/storage/pumping system

lime mixing/storage/pumping system

limestone ball mill

limestone storage and pumping system

neutralisation circuit tanks

nutrient hold tanks

nutrient mixing tanks

nutrient pumping systems

pumps

slurry pipelines

Start-up procedures may include:

cameras and monitors

distribution control system (DCS)

interlocks

isolations

pipes and flanges

pumping system

valves

visual and audio warning devices and lights

water systems

Indicator readings may measure:

air flows

concentrations (e.g. dissolved oxygen)

conductivity

current

densities

heat - temperature

levels

mass flow

pH

power

pressure

reagent flows

speed

vibrations

Bacterial oxidation methods may include:

high temperature bacterial leaching

low temperature bacterial leaching

Monitoring may include the checking of:

air flows

air pressure

bacteria concentration

blockages and spillages

cooling water flows

densities

dissolved oxygen

feed rates

in stream analysis (ISA)

nutrient levels

on stream analysis (OSA)

overloads

pH

power draw

pressures

reagent flow

temperatures

wear and tear

The methods used to optimise the plant may include adjustment to:

air flow

mass flow

nutrient levels

pH

solids densities

Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks.

Site conditions may include:

weather conditions

working at heights