This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct thickening and clarifying process in Metalliferous and Coal mining.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of thickening and clarifying processes including:

conducting start up, shut down and/or isolation of equipment in sequence

operating and monitoring equipment

carrying out minor maintenance

conducting housekeeping activities

diagnosing faults, reporting defects and identifying repair requirements

applying lifting techniques (manual, automated)

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the thickening and clarifying processes in a way that meets all of the required outcomes including:

using a range of communications techniques and equipment to convey information to others

maintaining written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

organising work activities to meet all task requirements

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

demonstrates completion of thickening and clarifying processes that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

identifyingand interpreting data from equipment indicators to determine torque, bed characteristics, flow characteristics and reagent dosage

continuously inspect plant

controlling discharge of underflow/overflow agents to agreed operating parameters

directing underflow/overflow to alternate location according to work specifications

monitoring performance of thickener to meet agreed operating parameters

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of conduct thickening and clarifying process through:

accessing, interpreting and applying organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

WHS, site safety and emergency requirements

environmental principles/procedures

equipment safety requirements

hazardous substance procedures and consequences of spills

operational procedures and checks

site procedures

isolation procedures

accurate record maintenance

contaminant identification and treatment

reading and interpreting reports

applying depressant principles

monitoring equipment limitations and operating parameters

interpreting metallurgical and technical data

identifying reagent types

identifying types of ores

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.

Coal mining

Metalliferous mining