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

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

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.

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