Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:15 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:15 PM 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 electrowinning/electrorefining operations
Conduct electrowinning/electrorefining operations
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIPRE301A
RIIPRE301A
State Code
WB397
WB397
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
03/09/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
03/09/2010
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the conduct of electrowinning/electrorefining in the metalliferous mining industry. It includes planning and preparing for electrowinning/electrorefining, monitoring electrowinning/electrorefining, pulling and stripping plates, shutting down in sequence and/or isolating equipment, and conducting housekeeping activities and returning cell to service. 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 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
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
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
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.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2436 | MNMPRE301A | Conduct electrowinning/electrorefining operations | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH586 | RIIPRE301D | Conduct electrowinning/electro-refining operations | Unit of competency |