Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:10 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:10 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 wet gravity separation
Conduct wet gravity separation
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIPBE309B
RIIPBE309B
State Code
D9369
D9369
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/10/2011
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
06/10/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the conduct of wet gravity separation in the mining industry. It includes planning and preparing for wet gravity separation, 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 wet gravity separation
- 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 to ensure equipment is ready for operation
- 1.7. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards
- 1.8. Identify, address and report environmental issues
- 1.9. Adhere to emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant
- 1.10. Use approved dust suppression and extraction methods
- 1.11. Ensure area is well ventilated before entry into work area
2. Start-up equipment in sequence
- 2.1. Carry out start-up procedures and complete 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 separation efficiency
- 3.2. Continuously inspect and monitor plant and identify separation process defects and potential problems
- 3.3. Assess mineral content of ore according to separation parameters
- 3.4. Make appropriate adjustments to separation process to optimise targets
- 3.5. Adjust equipment to approved operating parameters to optimise separation performance, maintain efficient separation and to meet project quality targets
- 3.6. Control feed to separation equipment
- 3.7. Carry out minor maintenance to maintain condition of equipment
- 3.8. Complete all required documentation, clearly, concisely and on time
- 3.9. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift
4. Conduct housekeeping activities
- 4.1. Clean plant to maintain condition of all equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations
- 4.2. Address and report hazards to maintain a safe working environment
5. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment
- 5.1. Shutdown or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements
- 5.2. Perform post-shutdown 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.
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
environment
Equipment may include:
gantry cranes and attachments
hand and power tools
hoses (water and air)
pumps systems
Pre-start checks may include:
availability of equipment
detection of conditions that are unusual
fluid levels
isolation and/or lockout checks
job requirements
personnel availability
walk through plant
Environmental issues may include:
drainage
dust
emissions
flora and fauna
hazardous chemicals
noise
recycling
run-off
spills
waste management and disposal
water quality
Plant may include:
attritioners
compressors and blowers
cyclones
elutriator
pumps
rotating screens/spirals
wet shaker tables
Methods used to optimise the plant may include:
adjust mineral cuts (table and spirals)
adjust feed input rate
Start-up procedure may include:
cameras and monitors
distribution systems
drive belts
fluid levels ( grease, oil, water)
hoppers and launders
interlocks
isolations
pipes and flanges
pumping systems
screens
valves
visual and audio warning devices
water systems (sprayers and columns)
Indicator readings may measure:
current
density
levels
pressure flows
unusual noises
Separation methods may include:
high tension
Separation quality targets may include:
consumption targets
density
grades
percentage of recovery
pH level
Monitoring may include:
air flows
blockages and spillages
current draw
feed rates
power
pressures
temperatures
wear and tear
Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include:
brush scrubbing
hosing with water
Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks
Materials may include:
air
slurry
water
Contaminants are anything other than the slurry. Common contaminants may include:
gravel
wood fibre
Site conditions may include:
day and night
weather conditions
working at heights
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
environment
Equipment may include:
gantry cranes and attachments
hand and power tools
hoses (water and air)
pumps systems
Pre-start checks may include:
availability of equipment
detection of conditions that are unusual
fluid levels
isolation and/or lockout checks
job requirements
personnel availability
walk through plant
Environmental issues may include:
drainage
dust
emissions
flora and fauna
hazardous chemicals
noise
recycling
run-off
spills
waste management and disposal
water quality
Plant may include:
attritioners
compressors and blowers
cyclones
elutriator
pumps
rotating screens/spirals
wet shaker tables
Methods used to optimise the plant may include:
adjust mineral cuts (table and spirals)
adjust feed input rate
Start-up procedure may include:
cameras and monitors
distribution systems
drive belts
fluid levels ( grease, oil, water)
hoppers and launders
interlocks
isolations
pipes and flanges
pumping systems
screens
valves
visual and audio warning devices
water systems (sprayers and columns)
Indicator readings may measure:
current
density
levels
pressure flows
unusual noises
Separation methods may include:
high tension
Separation quality targets may include:
consumption targets
density
grades
percentage of recovery
pH level
Monitoring may include:
air flows
blockages and spillages
current draw
feed rates
power
pressures
temperatures
wear and tear
Equipment and plant cleaning methods may include:
brush scrubbing
hosing with water
Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks
Materials may include:
air
slurry
water
Contaminants are anything other than the slurry. Common contaminants may include:
gravel
wood fibre
Site conditions may include:
day and night
weather conditions
working at heights
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 wet gravity separation
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of wet gravity separation
working with others to undertake and complete the wet gravity separation in a way that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of wet gravity separation 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 wet gravity separation
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 wet gravity separation
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of wet gravity separation
working with others to undertake and complete the wet gravity separation in a way that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of wet gravity separation 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 wet gravity separation
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WB011 | RIIPBE309A | Conduct wet gravity separation | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH555 | RIIPBE309D | Conduct wet gravity separation | Unit of competency |
