South African simulator equipment specialist ThoroughTec is providing prospective miners with the opportunity to train on simulators before trying their hands at real mining equipment.

This gives them an advantage over conventional training, says ThoroughTec business development manager Justin Collins. “The mining industry increasingly relies on complex and specialised mechanical equipment to conduct its business, and companies cannot afford to have inexperienced operators working on expensive equipment,” he says.

He notes that, given the exposure and competence of the average miner in South Africa, training before using the actual equipment is essential.

ThoroughTec offers a risk-free training 
solution to expose people to complex mining equipment as well as provide opportunities to undertake refresher training, or to maintain the competence of operators.

Collins says that its mining division, known as Cybermine Simulator Systems, produces simulators for machinery used in surface mining, underground mining and in construction.

The simulation system is based inside a common 6-m shipping container, which the company buys and completely refurbishes.

The simulator itself has a high-fidelity 
motion platform, with either 3˚, or 6˚, of freedom as options. The motion platform is electromechanically actuated to mimic the prototype the equipment’s true responses. The motion platform simulates the vehicle or the equipment’s operating interface, with exact replica controls.

Collins says that 3˚ of freedom limits the operator’s experience to pitching, rolling and heaving, while the 6˚ of freedom option 
allows the operator to experience pitch, roll, heave, yaw, surge and sway for the most realistic experience.

The motion base is surrounded by large-format screens that can be configured with three screens to provide for a 240˚ field of view, or with four screens for a 360˚ view.

“We take pride in producing rich, three-
dimensional visuals and sounds, which, combined with the motion platform, provide for a rich experience. It really feels as if one is inside a tunnel, using the prototype 
machinery,” Collins says.

Significant effort goes into developing each simulation model as close to the prototype as possible. “We must ensure that the feedback we provide to the operator’s actions is 
accurate, otherwise the trainees will be given negative training, increasing the risk of 
accidents,” he adds.

ThoroughTec’s technical team visits the original-equipment manufacturers to gather 
all the relevant technical information.

Collins reports that it may take up to a year 
to create the dynamics model for a new project.

He says that, while the company is constantly improving its graphics and sound quality, it now offers an improved simulation environment, with one container able to offer both surface and underground mining simulations.