Application
This unit is appropriate for those working in an operational role at worksites within:
Metalliferous mining
Coal mining
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for flotation process | 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 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 |
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 flotation equipment | 3.1. Read and interpret data from equipment indicators 3.2. Continuously inspect and monitor plant and identify flotation process defects and potential problems 3.3. Assess mineral content of ore according to flotation parameters 3.4. Make appropriate adjustments to flotation process 3.5. Adjust equipment to prescribed operating parameters 3.6. Control feed to flotation equipment 3.7. Add reagents according to operating parameters 3.8. Carry out operator level maintenance 3.9. Complete all required documentation 3.10. 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. Shut down in sequence and/or isolate equipment | 5.1. Shut down and/or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements 5.2. Perform post shut down and/or isolation checks |
Required Skills
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 flotation processes: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for conducting flotation processes handle hazardous substances identify hazards use lifting techniques (manual, cranes and loads) maintain records monitor operations report defects employ safe work practices use hand and power tools find plant operating faults |
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 flotation processes: contaminants emergency procedures environmental principles equipment and operating parameters equipment safety requirements flotation plant hazardous substances and consequences of spills isolation procedures metallurgical and technical data operational procedures and checks reagent types site procedures/flotation safety requirements types of ores and grades |
Evidence Required
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 flotation processes implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the flotation process working with others to undertake and complete the flotation process in a way that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of flotation processes 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 flotation process |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
Range Statement
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: | gantry cranes and attachments (e.g. overhead) hand and power tools hoses (water and air) pump systems |
Pre-start checks may include: | availability of equipment detection of conditions that are unusual fluid levels job requirements personnel availability walk through plant |
Environmental issues may include: | drainage dust emissions flora and fauna hazardous chemicals noise recycling run-off spills waste management and disposal water quality |
Start-up procedures may include the inspection of: | cameras and monitors distribution control system (DCS) drive belts filters fluid levels (grease, oil, water) hoppers and launders interlocks isolations pipes and flanges pumping system valves visual and audio warning devices and lights water systems (e.g. sprays and columns) |
Plant may include: | compressors and blowers conditioning tanks flotation cells and columns reagent dosing |
Indicator readings may measure: | concentrations current densities grade heat levels pressure flows unusual noises |
Monitoring may include: | air flows blockages and spillages check current draw feed rates in stream analysis (ISA) on stream analysis (OSA) particle size indicators (PSI) power pressures pulp density pulp levels temperatures wear and tear |
Floatation methods may include: | bulk flotation controlled potential sulphide (CPS ) pre-float |
Floatation quality targets may include: | concentrate grade consumption targets density Eh (electro chemical potential) percentage of recovery pH level |
Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include: | hosing with water |
Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks. | |
The methods used to optimise the plant may include: | adjustment to reagent usage |
Materials may be wet and may include: | air reagents slurry |
Contaminants are anything other than the slurry and reagents. Common contaminants may include: | oil plastic wood fibre |
Site conditions may include: | day and night weather conditions working at heights |
Sectors
Beneficiation
Competency Field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.