Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:41 PM AWST

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Operate a smelting furnace

Operate a smelting furnace

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS361
State Code
AXM92
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2016
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate a smelting furnace and ancillary equipment. The smelting furnace will typically be used in an industrial scale metalliferous processing facility. This unit of competency applies to ore smelting where the feed is a solid in the form of ore, crushed rock or a mixture which may include flux materials; and the product is molten metal and slag. The smelting process induces some chemical changes in the feed as well as melting the product. However, it may be applied to other materials with appropriate contextualisation.This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to identify and rectify operational problems, determine and apply the raw materials feed, contribute to start-up and shutdown processes, and operate and monitor equipment.This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel, such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls. In the case of large complex plant, the operations technician would be part of a team during start-up and shutdown procedures. This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.This unit of competency does not require the operation of a central control panel. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for work
  • 1.1 Receive and give shift handover
  • 1.2 Identify work requirements
  • 1.3 Identify and control hazards
  • 1.4 Coordinate with appropriate personnel
  • 1.5 Check for recent work undertaken on smelter
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of smelter
2 Operate smelting furnace
  • 2.1 Describe the type of smelter, the component plant items and their duties
  • 2.2 Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork, taking action on unexpected readings and trends
  • 2.3 Change rate, grade or specification smoothly as required
  • 2.4 Adjust feeds composition and rate, gas flows and temperatures to meet product requirements
  • 2.5 Adjust smelter and its component plant items as appropriate to their type and duty to maximise performance
3 Recognise problems and take action in accordance with procedures
  • 3.1 Monitor smelter and its component plant items frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses
  • 3.2 Describe impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
  • 3.3 Recognise actual and developing situations which may require action
  • 3.4 Apply operational knowledge to resolve problems
  • 3.5 Take other actions on abnormal situations which cannot be resolved during the shift to ensure safety and the resolution of the situation
  • 3.6 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
4 Isolate and de-isolate smelter and its component plant items
  • 4.1 Complete any required pre-start checks
  • 4.2 Start up/shut down smelter according to the smelter type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 4.3 Start up/shut down/changeover component plant items within smelter unit according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 4.4 Isolate entire smelter and/or any component plant item
  • 4.5 Make safe for required work
  • 4.6 Check smelter/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • 4.7 De-isolate and prepare smelter/plant item for return to service
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WG550 PMAOPS361A Operate a smelting furnace Unit of competency