This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct flotation 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 applicable, documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the flotation process 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)

accurate record maintenance

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the flotation process 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 flotation processes that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

reading and interpreting data from equipment indicators

continuously inspecting and monitoring plant and identifying flotation process defects and potential problems

assessing mineral content of ore according to flotation parameters

making appropriate adjustments to flotation process

adjusting equipment to prescribed operating parameters

controlling feed to flotation equipment

adding reagents according to operating parameters

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of conducting flotation process through:

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

WHS, site safety and emergencies

environmental issues

equipment safety requirements

hazardous substance procedures and consequences of spills

operational procedures and checks

equipment break-downs

equipment isolation

contaminant identification and treatment

reading and interpreting reports

monitoring equipment and operating parameters

monitoring flotation plant

interpreting metallurgical and technical data

identifying reagent types

identifying types of ores and grades

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