MSL973023
Perform fire pouring techniques


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.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan work for shift

1.1

Review job requests to identify the samples, preparation methods required for each, and shift priorities

1.2

Identify hazards, safety equipment/procedures associated with samples, preparation methods, reagents and equipment

1.3

Plan parallel work sequences to optimise the throughput of multiple sets of samples during shift

1.4

Assemble all required equipment, materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose

1.5

Check pots and cupels and discard those with faults and/or a record of high gold values

1.6

Check that fusion and muffle furnaces are operating at the specified temperatures

2

Prepare sample racks for fusion

2.1

Check samples against accompanying documentation and record/report any discrepancies

2.2

Conduct simple visual/chemical tests for each sample to assess the adequacy of prior sample preparation and possible presence of sulphides or other mineralogy

2.3

Weigh out the recommended amount of sample and add specified identifier to maintain orientation, as necessary

2.4

Weigh out flux components, mix thoroughly with the sample charge and transfer to recommended type and size of pot without loss of material

2.5

Place pots in racks

2.6

Record all required details of sample preparation to ensure traceability of samples

2.7

Seek advice to deal with any situation beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge

3

Obtain acceptable buttons and prills

3.1

Maintain sequencing in order to track samples, buttons and prills throughout the recovery process

3.2

Monitor furnace temperature/time to ensure complete sample fusion

3.3

Remove fused samples from furnace and pour into moulds with minimal loss of material

3.4

Recognise the need for repeat firings due to lead shotting and/or poor fusions

3.5

Separate slag and button with minimal loss of collector

3.6

Inspect buttons for matte, brittleness, size and malformed shape

3.7

Place acceptable buttons in muffle furnace using cupels that have been previously loaded and preheated

3.8

Regularly monitor furnace temperature/time/air flow to ensure efficient cupellation

3.9

Recover prills, check identifiers and inspect for contamination, losses and evidence of other precious metals (e.g. high gold, Platinum and Palladium)

3.10

Complete and collate sample records before presenting prills for analysis

4

Troubleshoot and correct common recovery failures

4.1

Monitor all stages of recovery for indicators of potential loss

4.2

Recognise undesirable recovery conditions and decide whether the process requires correction

4.3

Apply an established corrective action and restart the process

4.4

Document any adjustments made to standard methods and re-sequencing of samples

4.5

Seek advice when problems are beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge

5

Perform daily maintenance of assay equipment

5.1

Grade and inspect pots using established criteria prior to storage for re-use

5.2

Report defective equipment and consumable requirements to appropriate personnel

6

Maintain a safe work environment

6.1

Use safe work procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of others

6.2

Minimise the release of collectors to the work environment

6.3

Segregate and dispose of waste in accordance with workplace requirements

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Learning skills to:

minimising re-work, waste and environmental impacts and disposing of all waste responsibly

manually handling heavy and hot items of equipment safely

Numeracy skills to:

recognise the presence of highly oxidised ores, such as haematite or magnetite, and adjusting the charge weight and flux components to suit

accurately weighing samples and flux components

maintaining sequential control of samples through all recovery stages

keeping accurate and complete records, including:

pour sheets (date, time, client, pour number and preparation method)

number of pots, positions of sample, blank and check in rack

visual appearance of samples, buttons and prills

corrective actions for specific samples

planning work flow to ensure efficient sample throughput

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.


Competency Field

Testing