ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for leaching circuit operations

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

1.2. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details

1.3. Communicate with other personnel using approved communication methods

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

1.7. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards

1.8. Identify, address and report environmental issues

1.9. Adhere to emergency procedures

1.10. Use approved dust suppression and extraction methods

1.11. Ensure area is well ventilated

2. Start-up equipment in sequence

2.1. Carry out start-up procedures and completes 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 leaching efficiency

3.2. Continuously inspect and monitor operations/plant and containment areas

3.3. Adjust equipment to optimise leaching

3.4. Add reagents to achieve operating parameters

3.5. Adjust flows to meet down stream requirements

3.6. Carry out operator level maintenance to maintain condition of equipment

3.7. Complete all required documentation

3.8. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift

4. Conduct housekeeping activities

4.1. Clean plant

4.2. Identify, address and report hazards

5. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment

5.1. Shutdown and/or isolates equipment based on process and safety requirements

5.2. Perform post shutdown and/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 leaching processes:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for conducting leaching processes

employ safe work practices

fault finding

handle hazardous substances

identify hazards

interpret reports

maintain records

monitor operations/report defects

use hand and power tools

use lifting techniques (manual, cranes and loads)

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 leaching processes:

contaminant identification

emergency procedures

environmental principles

equipment operating parameters

equipment safety requirements

hazardous substances procedures and consequences of spills

isolation procedures

leaching principles

metallurgical and technical data

operational procedures and checks

pumping system and flow charts

reagent types

sampling

leaching safety requirements

types of ores

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 leaching processes

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the leaching process

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

consistent timely completion of the leaching process 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's:

working with others to undertake and complete the leaching process

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.

Relevantcompliance 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:

compressors

distribution control systems (DCS)

feeders

gantry cranes and attachments and other mobile equipment

hand and power tools

hoses (water and air)

Pre-start checks may include:

availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor)

detection of conditions that are unusual

fluid levels

job requirements

personnel availability

walk through plant

Environmental issues may include:

drainage

dust (dump)

emissions

flora and fauna

hazardous chemicals

noise

recycling

run-off

spills

waste management and disposal

water quality

Start-up procedures may include:

agitators

cameras and monitors

distribution control system

drive belts

hydraulic system

interlocks

launders

pipes and flanges

pumping system

screen inspections

scuttling pumps

suppression systems

valves

visual and audio warning devices and lights

Plant may include:

agitators

airlines

conveyors

filters

grinding mills

heat exchangers

lines

overhead sprinklers

piping

pumps

reactors

streamlines

sumps/tanks

thickeners and clarifiers

The methods used to optimise the plant may include:

oxygen levels

quantity of reagents

Indicator readings may include:

air flows

current (e.g. agitators)

density

flow

levels

power

pressure

restrictions

speed (e.g. pumps)

unusual noises

vibrations

Leaching methods may include:

acid

alkaline

bacterial leach

dump (run of mine ore)

heap (processed ore for leaching)

in situ

pressure

Monitoring may include the checking of:

blockages and spillages

carbon levels and movement

feed rates

gas emission (e.g. cyanide)

in stream analysis (ISA)

mineral content

on stream analysis (OSA)

overloads

particle size indicators (PSI)

power draw

pressures

titrations

wear and tear

Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include:

high pressure cleaning

hosing with water

Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks.

Wet materials may include:

agglomerated

crushed

slurry

Dry materials may include:

calcine (dry prior to adding)

liquors (e.g. spent from electrolysis)

Contaminants are anything other than the ore. Common contaminants may include:

chemicals

containers and packaging

fuels

metal

oils

plastic

timber