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

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

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.

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