ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for electrowinning/ electrorefining

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

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. Monitor electrowinning/ electrorefining

2.1. Monitor, gather and interpret data from equipment indicators

2.2. Monitor and adjust solution volume, feed quality and rate of flow in cells

2.3. Monitor cooling system according to site procedures

2.4. Monitor and maintain temperature, voltage and amps.

2.5. Continuously monitor operations

2.6. Minimise and monitor emissions

2.7. Complete all required documentation

2.8. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift

2.9. Conduct cell inspections

2.10. Observe and follow electrical safety techniques

3. Pull and strip plates

3.1. Ensure that electrowinning/electrorefining systems are safe for plate removal

3.2. Pull and strip plates using appropriate equipment

3.3. Inspect electrodes and identify rejects

3.4. strip plates to site requirements

3.5. Stack and dispatch stripping products

3.6. Clean plates for reuse

3.7. Handle stripping products safely

4. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment

4.1. Shutdown or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements

4.2. Perform post shutdown or isolation checks

4.3. Plan for shutdown/isolation and returning cells to service

5. Conduct housekeeping activities and return cell to service

5.1. Clean plant

5.2. Identify, address and report hazards

5.3. Maintain bus-bar cleanliness

5.4. Isolate cell and remove scale from anodes and cell according to site requirements

5.5. Dispose of scale in accordance with site procedures

5.6. Return cell to service in correct sequence

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 electrowinning/electrorefining operations:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for conducting electrowinning/electrorefining operations

carry out fault finding

identify hazards

handle hazardous substances

interpret reports

apply lifting techniques (manual, cranes and loads)

maintain records

report defects

employ safe work practices

use hand and power tools

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 electrowinning/electrorefining operations:

breakdown procedures

contaminant identification

electrowinning/ electrorefining principles

electrical hazards

emergency procedures

environmental principles

equipment operating parameters

equipment safety requirements

hazardous substances procedures and consequences of spills

isolation procedures

metallurgical and technical data

operational procedures and checks

pumping system and flow charts (pipeline and sprinkler systems)

reagent types

sampling

site procedures

electrowinning/ electrorefining safety requirements

types of ores

wet and dry working procedures

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 electrowinning/electrorefining operations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of electrowinning/electrorefining operations

working with others to undertake and complete the electrowinning/electrorefining operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of electrowinning/electrorefining operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meet 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 electrowinning/electrorefining operations

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:

compressors

distribution control systems (DCS)

feeders

gantry cranes and attachments and other mobile equipment

hand and power tools

Pre-start checks may include:

availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor or gantry)

detection of conditions that are unusual

personnel availability

job requirements

fluid levels

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

management of residues

Monitoring may include the checking of:

solution levels

spillages and hot spots

flow rates

pressures

power draw

emission levels

reagent addition

Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks.

Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include:

digging

Plant may include:

tanks

lines

pumps

piping

cells

plates

fixed stripping machines

monorails

Indicator readings may include:

current flow

solvent density

restrictions

air flows

pressure

unusual noises

temperature

Start-up procedures may include:

cameras and monitors

interlocks

distribution control system

pumping system

scuttling pumps

pipes and flanges

drive belts

valves

visual and audio warning devices and lights

suppression systems

cells and surround site

Materials may include:

slurry

solution

reagents