Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL973023 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform fire pouring techniques

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL973023 - Perform fire pouring techniques
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to follow standard procedures for extracting precious metals from their host matrices in readiness for analysis. Fire pourers are expected to handle routine samples, recognise common sample preparation and cupellation problems and make standard adjustments to fluxes and firings. They are expected to seek advice from their supervisor when non-routine problems arise.This unit of competency applies to laboratory personnel working in the mineral assay industry sector.No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. However, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements for laboratory operations exist, so local requirements should be checked. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must also be applied.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Testing
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Plan work for shift
  • Review job requests to identify the samples, preparation methods required for each, and shift priorities
  • Identify hazards, safety equipment/procedures associated with samples, preparation methods, reagents and equipment
  • Plan parallel work sequences to optimise the throughput of multiple sets of samples during shift
  • Assemble all required equipment, materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose
  • Check pots and cupels and discard those with faults and/or a record of high gold values
  • Check that fusion and muffle furnaces are operating at the specified temperatures
       
Element: Identify hazards, safety equipment/procedures associated with samples, preparation methods, reagents and equipment
       
Element: Plan parallel work sequences to optimise the throughput of multiple sets of samples during shift
       
Element: Assemble all required equipment, materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose
       
Element: Check pots and cupels and discard those with faults and/or a record of high gold values
       
Element: Check that fusion and muffle furnaces are operating at the specified temperatures
       
Element: Prepare sample racks for fusion
  • Check samples against accompanying documentation and record/report any discrepancies
       
Element: Conduct simple visual/chemical tests for each sample to assess the adequacy of prior sample preparation and possible presence of sulphides or other mineralogy
       
Element: Weigh out the recommended amount of sample and add specified identifier to maintain orientation, as necessary
       
Element: Weigh out flux components, mix thoroughly with the sample charge and transfer to recommended type and size of pot without loss of material
       
Element: Record all required details of sample preparation to ensure traceability of samples
       
Element: Seek advice to deal with any situation beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge
       
Element: Obtain acceptable buttons and prills
  • Maintain sequencing in order to track samples, buttons and prills throughout the recovery process
       
Element: Monitor furnace temperature/time to ensure complete sample fusion
       
Element: Remove fused samples from furnace and pour into moulds with minimal loss of material
       
Element: Recognise the need for repeat firings due to lead shotting and/or poor fusions
       
Element: Separate slag and button with minimal loss of collector
       
Element: Inspect buttons for matte, brittleness, size and malformed shape
       
Element: Place acceptable buttons in muffle furnace using cupels that have been previously loaded and preheated
       
Element: Regularly monitor furnace temperature/time/air flow to ensure efficient cupellation
       
Element: Recover prills, check identifiers and inspect for contamination, losses and evidence of other precious metals (e.g. high gold, Platinum and Palladium)
       
Element: Complete and collate sample records before presenting prills for analysis
       
Element: Troubleshoot and correct common recovery failures
  • Monitor all stages of recovery for indicators of potential loss
       
Element: Recognise undesirable recovery conditions and decide whether the process requires correction
       
Element: Apply an established corrective action and restart the process
       
Element: Document any adjustments made to standard methods and re-sequencing of samples
       
Element: Seek advice when problems are beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge
       
Element: Perform daily maintenance of assay equipment
  • Grade and inspect pots using established criteria prior to storage for re-use
       
Element: Report defective equipment and consumable requirements to appropriate personnel
       
Element: Maintain a safe work environment
  • Use safe work procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of others
       
Element: Minimise the release of collectors to the work environment
       
Element: Segregate and dispose of waste in accordance with workplace requirements
       

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Review job requests to identify the samples, preparation methods required for each, and shift priorities 
Identify hazards, safety equipment/procedures associated with samples, preparation methods, reagents and equipment 
Plan parallel work sequences to optimise the throughput of multiple sets of samples during shift 
Assemble all required equipment, materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose 
Check pots and cupels and discard those with faults and/or a record of high gold values 
Check that fusion and muffle furnaces are operating at the specified temperatures 
 
 
 
 
 
Check samples against accompanying documentation and record/report any discrepancies 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintain sequencing in order to track samples, buttons and prills throughout the recovery process 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monitor all stages of recovery for indicators of potential loss 
 
 
 
 
Grade and inspect pots using established criteria prior to storage for re-use 
 
Use safe work procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of others 
 
 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL973023 - Perform fire pouring techniques
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL973023 - Perform fire pouring techniques

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: