ThoroughTec Selected for Rio’s Northparkes Training Facility

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF MINING – SEPTEMBER 2012

ThoroughTec managing director, Rob Letschert, said “To be chosen as the simulator supplier for such a prestigious and discerning training institute is a wonderful accolade.”

According to Rio Tinto Copper chief executive, Andrew Harding, “Block cave mining is safer, more cost-effective and can be done on a much larger scale than traditional underground mining methods. It requires highly specialised skills, and this new centre will cement our leadership in developing and operating block cave mines as we move to the next generation of ore bodies. Thoroughtec says simulator training is the most efficient and cost effective way of developing specialised operator skills, for both new recruits and experienced operators converting to block-cave mining.

CYBERMINE4 simulators feature a 360° high-fidelity display. Drill-rock face interactions or tyre-terrain interactions are mathematically modelled for accurate, authentic feedback.

“To ensure authenticity and accuracy in training, Northparkes also purchased an own mine world.”

Northparkes opted for the CYBERMINE4 Fixed Facility Simulator System unit for its classroom facility, as opposed to the mobile and durable containerised systems that are more commonly used on mine sites. For the first phase of the project, a Sandvik LH514E loader cab was paired with the base unit. To ensure authenticity and accuracy in training, Northparkes also purchased an own mine world.

This entails an exhaustively researched and ultra-realistic visual recreation of the Northparkes mine site, allowing its operators to train in the same environment that they work in. The Northparkes centre will be used to train miners and engineers from Rio Tinto mines around the world to create and operate block cave mines.

Among the first trainees will be teams from Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia and Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia.