Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:54 AM AWST
23/07/2026 6:54 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct leaching process
Conduct leaching process
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIPBE306A
RIIPBE306A
State Code
WB009
WB009
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/02/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
11/02/2010
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the conduct of leaching processes in the metalliferous mining industry. It includes planning and preparing for leaching circuit operations, starting up equipment in sequence, operating and monitoring equipment, conducting housekeeping activities, and shutting down in sequence and/or isolating equipment. 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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for leaching circuit operations
- 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 using approved communication methods
- 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. 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 equipment
- 3.1. Read and interpret data from equipment indicators to determine leaching efficiency
- 3.2. Continuously inspect and monitor operations/plant and containment areas
- 3.3. Adjust equipment to optimise leaching
- 3.4. Add reagents to achieve operating parameters
- 3.5. Adjust flows to meet down stream requirements
- 3.6. Carry out operator level maintenance to maintain condition of equipment
- 3.7. Complete all required documentation
- 3.8. 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. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment
- 5.1. Shutdown and/or isolates equipment based on process and safety requirements
- 5.2. Perform post shutdown and/or isolation checks
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.
Relevantcompliance 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
hoses (water and air)
Pre-start checks may include:
availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor)
detection of conditions that are unusual
fluid levels
job requirements
personnel availability
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:
agitators
cameras and monitors
distribution control system
drive belts
hydraulic system
interlocks
launders
pipes and flanges
pumping system
screen inspections
scuttling pumps
suppression systems
valves
visual and audio warning devices and lights
Plant may include:
agitators
airlines
conveyors
filters
grinding mills
heat exchangers
lines
overhead sprinklers
piping
pumps
reactors
streamlines
sumps/tanks
thickeners and clarifiers
The methods used to optimise the plant may include:
oxygen levels
quantity of reagents
Indicator readings may include:
air flows
current (e.g. agitators)
density
flow
levels
power
pressure
restrictions
speed (e.g. pumps)
unusual noises
vibrations
Leaching methods may include:
acid
alkaline
bacterial leach
dump (run of mine ore)
heap (processed ore for leaching)
in situ
pressure
Monitoring may include the checking of:
blockages and spillages
carbon levels and movement
feed rates
gas emission (e.g. cyanide)
in stream analysis (ISA)
mineral content
on stream analysis (OSA)
overloads
particle size indicators (PSI)
power draw
pressures
titrations
wear and tear
Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include:
high pressure cleaning
hosing with water
Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks.
Wet materials may include:
agglomerated
crushed
slurry
Dry materials may include:
calcine (dry prior to adding)
liquors (e.g. spent from electrolysis)
Contaminants are anything other than the ore. Common contaminants may include:
chemicals
containers and packaging
fuels
metal
oils
plastic
timber
Relevantcompliance 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
hoses (water and air)
Pre-start checks may include:
availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor)
detection of conditions that are unusual
fluid levels
job requirements
personnel availability
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:
agitators
cameras and monitors
distribution control system
drive belts
hydraulic system
interlocks
launders
pipes and flanges
pumping system
screen inspections
scuttling pumps
suppression systems
valves
visual and audio warning devices and lights
Plant may include:
agitators
airlines
conveyors
filters
grinding mills
heat exchangers
lines
overhead sprinklers
piping
pumps
reactors
streamlines
sumps/tanks
thickeners and clarifiers
The methods used to optimise the plant may include:
oxygen levels
quantity of reagents
Indicator readings may include:
air flows
current (e.g. agitators)
density
flow
levels
power
pressure
restrictions
speed (e.g. pumps)
unusual noises
vibrations
Leaching methods may include:
acid
alkaline
bacterial leach
dump (run of mine ore)
heap (processed ore for leaching)
in situ
pressure
Monitoring may include the checking of:
blockages and spillages
carbon levels and movement
feed rates
gas emission (e.g. cyanide)
in stream analysis (ISA)
mineral content
on stream analysis (OSA)
overloads
particle size indicators (PSI)
power draw
pressures
titrations
wear and tear
Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include:
high pressure cleaning
hosing with water
Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks.
Wet materials may include:
agglomerated
crushed
slurry
Dry materials may include:
calcine (dry prior to adding)
liquors (e.g. spent from electrolysis)
Contaminants are anything other than the ore. Common contaminants may include:
chemicals
containers and packaging
fuels
metal
oils
plastic
timber
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 leaching processes
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the leaching process
working with others to undertake and complete the leaching process in a way that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of the leaching process 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 leaching process
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
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 leaching processes
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the leaching process
working with others to undertake and complete the leaching process in a way that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of the leaching process 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 leaching process
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2396 | MNMPBE312A | Conduct leaching process | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH552 | RIIPBE306D | Conduct leaching process | Unit of competency |
