Training Simulators

AUSTRALIA’S MINING MONTHLY – JANUARY 2012

Probably the biggest milestone for ThoroughTec in the past year has been the launch of the fourth generation of its CYBERMINE simulation system. Australian miners had a chance to see CYBERMINE4 up close at the Asia Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition in Sydney in 2011.

CYBERMINE4 is said to be the only dual role simulation system. That means it can be interchanged between surface and underground simulation. It also includes a 360 degree panoramic display, enhanced reporting software and two high definition instructor screens in an enlarged classroom environment. Again, the focus is on training for a wider group. The company’s simulators received a large wrap when they were chosen by Rio Tinto to train operators at its Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia.

“Oyu Tolgoi is in a remote area and this was considered extremely important in selecting the final supplier.”

Rio Tinto technical services manager at Oyu Tolgoi Richard Storrie had been impressed by the results he had witnessed from simulator training at Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in Canada.

“In selecting ThoroughTec as our simulator systems provider there were several essential requirements that has to be considered,” he said.

“Firstly, ThoroughTec’s off-the-shelf product range best matched our OEM equipment used at the mine and their development capability for new simulator cabs was deemed best able to support any future OEM equipment purchases.” A second very important consideration was system reliability and maintainability – Oyu Tolgoi is in a remote area and this was considered extremely important in selecting the final supplier.”

ThoroughTec also managed a rare win in the Australian market. Wesfarmers Curragh chose CYBERMINE4 surface mining simulators for its training program. The mine will be needing to train up some more operators as part of its expansion to 7.7 million tonnes of coal per annum. It bought a six degrees of freedom simulator base unit and interchangeable cabs for the Komatsu 730E truck, Caterpillar D10T dozer and Bucyrus-Erie 1570-W dragline.

ThoroughTec also will be developing an”own mine world” to replicate operating conditions at the mine in the simulators.