Application
This unit is appropriate for those working in an operational role at worksites within:
Metalliferous mining
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for gold room operation | 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 dust suppression and extraction methods 1.11. Ensure area is well ventilated |
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 smelting equipment | 3.1. Read and interpret data from equipment indicators 3.2. Continuously inspect operations/plant and containment areas for defects and potential problems 3.3. Read and interpret analysis reports 3.4. Add reagents according to site procedures 3.5. Adjust equipment to operating parameters 3.6. Observe and follow electrical and/or gas safety techniques 3.7. Carry out operator level maintenance 3.8. Complete all required documentation 3.9. Pass on end of shift information to incoming shift 3.10. Adhere to site security procedures |
4. Prepare electrowinning products for smelting | 4.1. Treat stripping products in preparation for smelting - fluxing and/or drying 4.2. Record all required information |
5. Conduct housekeeping activities | 5.1. Clean plant 5.2. Identify, address and report hazards 5.3. Dispose of waste in accordance with site procedures 5.4. Maintain records of gold room processes in accordance with site procedures |
6. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment | 6.1. Shutdown or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements 6.2. Perform post shutdown/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 gold room operations: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for gold room operations sample identify hazards handle hazardous substances apply lifting techniques (manual, cranes and loads) maintain records report defects employ safe work practices fault finding 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 gold room operations: breakdown procedures elution process smelting process use of fluxes record keeping handling requirements for gold concentrates security requirements for gold processing emergency procedures environmental principles equipment limitations and operating parameters equipment safety requirements hazardous substance procedures and consequences of spills identifying repair requirements isolation procedures metallurgical and technical data OHS procedures specific operational procedures and checks pumping systems sampling gold room safety requirements types of ores the effects of wet and dry concentrates |
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 gold room operations implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of gold room operations working with others to undertake and complete the gold room operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of gold room operations 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 gold room operations |
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: | compressors distribution control systems (DCS) hand and power tools sampling equipment hoses |
Pre-start checks may include: | availability of equipment (e.g. cathodes) detection of conditions that are unusual personnel availability job requirements 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 |
Start-up procedures may include: | cameras and monitors electrowinning cells cathodes power control systems distribution control system pumping system pipes and flanges valves vessels visual and audio warning devices and lights suppression systems |
Indicator readings may include: | flow current density levels restrictions pressure speed (e.g. pumps) unusual noises vibrations power temperature |
Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include: | hosing with water high pressure cleaning |
Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks | |
Plant may include: | furnaces power control reagent vessels and delivery systems drying systems |
Monitoring the electrowinning process may include the checking of: | blockages and spillages mineral content moisture levels overloads pressures power draw temperature wear and tear emission (e.g. cyanide) levels laboratory results |
The methods used to optimise the plant may include: | quantity of reagents current flow temperature pressure |
Materials may include: | pregnant calcine from elution reagents |
Sectors
Refining
Competency Field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.