Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:25 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:25 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 gold room operations
Conduct gold room operations
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIPRE303A
RIIPRE303A
State Code
WB398
WB398
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 gold room operations in the metalliferous mining industry. It includes planning and preparing for gold room operations, starting up equipment in sequence, operating and monitoring smelting equipment, preparing electrowinning products for smelting, 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 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
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
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
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.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2438 | MNMPRE303A | Conduct gold room operations | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH588 | RIIPRE303D | Conduct gold room operations | Unit of competency |