Peace River Coal buys Anglo’s 10th ThoroughTec Simulator Base Unit

INTERNATIONAL MINING – NOVEMBER 2011

Anglo American has acquired its 10th simulator base unit from ThoroughTec, which will be installed at the Peace River Coal mine in British Columbia. The purchase includes ThoroughTec Simulation’s unique 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) simulator base unit and a range of interchangeable cabs for the Komatsu 830E AC haul truck, Komatsu PC5500 excavator, CAT D10 dozer, CAT 140H Grader and the P&H 320XP drill rig. The purchase allows the mine to enhance its strategic abilities by improving operator competency, safety and productivity. The operation is expecting a steady stream of new employees during the next 18 months and wanted to ensure that the mine would be professionally equipped for this training challenge.

Dan Farmer, Mine Manager at Peace River Coal said, “Our review of the major mining simulator players in the market showed that ThoroughTec had the widest and fastest growing range of advanced mining simulation equipment.” Mark Walker, ThoroughTec Simulation’s Executive Director of Mining & Construction said, “Peace River’s acquisition is the 10th of our simulator base units that Anglo American has purchased globally. This brings the total number of simulator machine cabs to 24, including 14 new developments.

We are pleased that this long-term partnership continues to grow and mature. More significantly, it will enable Peace River Coal to train operators on an impressive and rarely offered range of machines. That is the sort of leadership and commitment to operator competency with which we are pleased to associate our new CYBERMINE4 mining simulator.”