University of Alaska Buys ThoroughTec Simulators

MINEWEB.COM – AUGUST 2011

The USA’s first advanced underground mine training simulator to be acquired by a University will be ThoroughTec Simulation’s 4th Generation CYBERMINE4 simulator. The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Mining and Petroleum Training Services (MAPTS) Director Dennis Steffy said: “From start to finish, ThoroughTec’s professionalism has been a real treat, not to mention that they had all the underground equipment that each mine required.”

The University of Alaska Southeast’s goal is to develop a world-class training center that meets the workforce training needs of the mining industry by providing high quality, accessible training for both new and experienced miners. The simulator will be housed at the UA Center for Mine Training, located in Juneau’s UAS Technical Education Center and will have the ability to train students in modules fully representing an articulated haul truck (CAT ADT 45B), load haul dump truck (Atlas Copco ST14) and bolter (Atlas Copco Boltec MC).

The timing of the new acquisition will coincide with the ramping up of Kensington and other mines. “This was a missing piece of the puzzle for training miners from Alaska to be productive and safe from the first day on the job,” said MAPTS Director Dennis Steffy. “It will vastly improve the opportunities of students for mining employment”. More than 700 students are currently enrolled in mining classes at UAS. The Kensington Mine employs 60 UAS-trained miners.

“The timing of the new acquisition will coincide with the ramping up of Kensington and other mines.”

Funds for the acquisition was announced in March 2011 through the support from the legislative office of Rep. Cath Munoz (R-Juneau) and other members of Southeast Alaska’s legislative delegation. “Putting Alaskans to work in Alaska mines is a top priority,” Munoz stated. “Along with the Juneau Delegation, I will continue to advocate in the Legislature for expansion of this important program.

Mr Mark Walker, ThoroughTec Simulation’s Executive Director of Mining & Construction said: “We are pleased to see the superiority of our simulators is being well recognized in North America. This follows recent expansion of our presence in the region, with the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA) also acquiring an additional purchase of 6 machine simulator cabs to support both surface and underground machine training.” YMTA’s Training Manager Jennifer Russell said: “ThoroughTec is a great company to deal with because of their high levels of customer service.”

ThoroughTec Simulation’s CYBERMINE4 is the industry’s new fourth generation mining and only dual-role (interchangeable between surface and underground) simulator. It is upgraded with many new features including a full 360° panoramic display, enhanced reporting software and two HD instructor screens in an enlarged classroom environment that enables the instructor to monitor training and demonstrate to a mini-classroom at the same time.