Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
The unit of competency covers the ability to reduce given mineral samples to representative client samples and analytical portions that meet client requirements for analysis. Personnel are also required to recognise problems and invalid preparation steps and take appropriate corrective actions. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to technical assistants working in the mineral assay and construction materials testing sectors. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Interpret and schedule client requirements |
1.1. Review client request to identify sample/analysis requirements, preparation methods and equipment involved 1.2. Inspect samples, compare with specifications, record and report any discrepancies 1.3. Liaise with client when samples and/or request forms do not comply with enterprise procedures 1.4. Identify hazards and enterprise controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment 1.5. Plan parallel work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple sets of samples 1.6. Assemble all required equipment materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose |
2. Prepare client samples for analysis |
2.1. Estimate safe times for the preparation of required sample proportions 2.2. Split samples to obtain representative sub-samples as required 2.3. Safely operate comminution equipment 2.4. Monitor texture of the samples as an indicator of particle size and adjust milling times accordingly 2.5. Monitor sample compaction and build up of residues on equipment and rectify as necessary 2.6. Record preparation difficulties that may impact on quality or cause additional client costs 2.7. Report any departure from preparation methods or client specifications 2.8. Label client samples and record chain of custody information 2.9. Store all client samples in accordance with enterprise procedures |
3. Use non-destructive methods to prepare laboratory portions for analysis |
3.1. Examine the recommended preparation method to identify critical steps that will affect the quality of analytical results 3.2. Closely follow each preparation step with particular attention to safety, precision and minimisation of cross-contamination of samples 3.3. Monitor parameters that indicate completion or failure of each preparation step 3.4. Analyse and record invalid preparation steps and take corrective action before repeating the procedure 3.5. Present laboratory portions for analysis in appropriate containers with all required chain of custody documentation |
4. Maintain a safe work environment |
4.1. Apply established safe work practices and use protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel 4.2. Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts 4.3. Ensure the safe disposal of all hazardous waste and spent/surplus samples 4.4. Clean, care for and store equipment and reagents as required |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment. |
This competency in practice |
Industry representatives have provided the case study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Mineral processing A mining company provides a drill-core sample to a laboratory to determine its gold content as part of the company's resource estimation. A technician receives the sample and registers the details from the client specification sheet. He/she confirms that a 100g (75 micron) analytical portion is required with the coarse split to be retained for possible future testing. Noting from the sheet that the sample is likely to contain high levels of free gold, the technician carefully segregates it from all other samples. After drying and crushing the sample, the technician splits the coarse material and pulverises a sub-sample to the required particle size. He/she places it in a labelled packet and presents it to the assay section. The technician carefully cleans all the equipment used during processing the sample to prevent cross-contamination of samples. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used. |
Standards , codes , procedures and /or enterprise requirements |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Samples |
Samples may include:
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Client requests /documentation |
Client requests/documentation may include:
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Preparation methods |
Preparation methods may include:
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Preparation equipment |
Preparation equipment may include:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Safety equipment and hazard control measures |
Safety equipment and hazard control measures may include:
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Critical preparation steps that determine analytical accuracy and precision |
Critical preparation steps that determine analytical accuracy and precision may include:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Sampling |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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