PMAOPS460 — Monitor and operate tailings management facilities

1 Prepare for work

• 1.1Receive and give shift handover
• 1.2Identify work requirements.
• 1.3Identify and control work health and safety (WHS) hazards and identify risks to the environment
• 1.4Coordinate with appropriate personnel
• 1.5Check for recent work undertaken on TMF
• 1.6Note any outstanding/incomplete work
• 1.7Check operational status of TMF and ancillary equipment
• 1.8Coordinate with appropriate personnel, including facility managers and team members

2 Operate equipment for tailings deposition

• 2.1Access and interpret process waste/tailings management plan and comply with documented processes
• 2.2Identify the type of facility equipment and assess the appropriateness of the equipment given the tailings physical characteristics
• 2.3Measure and report on rate of flow, tailings characteristics and deposition outcomes, as required
• 2.4Set plant to deliver tailings to appropriate location of discharge point according to tailings management plan
• 2.5Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork, taking action on unexpected readings and trends
• 2.6Discharge tailings, as appropriate, based on set rotation sequence for discharges (‘paddocks’) and duration of deposition

3 Monitor and control TMF in accordance with procedures

• 3.1Carry out routine plant and facility inspections
• 3.2Check flora and fauna near TMF
• 3.3Check for indications of problems with TMF containment/wall
• 3.4Monitor indicators of location of phreatic zone
• 3.5Check beaching and decant water draw off locations
• 3.6Collect samples and conduct and analyse tests
• 3.7Record observations
• 3.8Compare operational performance against standards established in the tailings management plan
• 3.9Adjust spigots (feed) and decant location (withdrawal) to optimise operation of TMF
• 3.10Report operational condition of the tailings management facility

4 Recognise problems and take action in accordance with procedures

• 4.1Recognise developing situations which may require action
• 4.2Use water balance principles to determine adequacy of TFM capacity
• 4.3Adjust inflows and outflows (e.g. decant rate and tailings inflow) to respond to potential water imbalance especially overflows
• 4.4Identify and respond to problems arising from dust generated in TMF
• 4.5Report any issues identified with the integrity of the equipment delivering tailings to the TMF
• 4.6Apply the requirements of the emergency management plan in case of significant breaches of TMF integrity (for instance a breach of dam wall).

5 Isolate and de-isolate facility

• 5.1Complete any required pre-start checks
• 5.2Start up/shut down TMF plant and equipment according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel
• 5.3Start up/shut down/changeover component plant items which are part of the TMF according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel
• 5.4Isolate entire TMF and/or any component plant item
• 5.5Make safe for required work
• 5.6Check TMF/plant item is ready to be returned to service
• 5.7De-isolate and prepare TMF plant unit/plant item for return to service

What does an assessment tool for PMAOPS460 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for PMAOPS460 needs to address all 55 unit components: 5 elements with 37 performance criteria, 6 performance evidence requirements, 12 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for PMAOPS460?

Auditori pulls the current release of PMAOPS460 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

Is the first assessment tool really free?

Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for PMAOPS460 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing PMAOPS460 assessment instead of generating a new one?

Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of PMAOPS460, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.