University of Santo Tomas Introduces ThoroughTec Simulation for Haul Truck Operator Training, Chile

MINING CONNECTION – APRIL 2015

The University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Iquique campus in northern Chile has incorporated an advanced training simulator into its program for training students to become proficient haul truck operators in the region. The simulator is the latest fourth generation CYBERMINE unit from ThoroughTec Simulation. This particular CYBERMINE simulator simulates a Komatsu 930E haul truck.

“Most of our students don´t have any previous experience operating a haul truck on a mine site, so they’re starting from scratch,” said Ignacio Contreras Espic, UST’s national director of engineering.

The CYBERMINE haul truck mining simulator is a simulated cab, a highly realistic replica of the actual haul truck, with fully functional simulated instruments and controls. This replicated cab is mounted on a motion platform imparting six degrees of freedom and is surrounded by a panoramic, high-resolution projection system that displays a 3D virtual surface mine world. Control of all aspects of training and evaluation is exercised in real time from an instructor station and displayed on two high definition widescreen displays.

“We have successfully commissioned a number of simulators at training institutions around the Americas. Our Santiago office has been working hard to meet the needs of the Chilean and greater Americas mining sector.”

“We have successfully commissioned a number of simulators at training institutions around the Americas. Our Santiago office has been working hard to meet the needs of the Chilean and greater Americas mining sector. We were delighted when UST chose CYBERMINE to meet its training simulation needs,” said José Ignacio Porras, regional vice president of Americas at ThoroughTec.

“This simulator is helping our students easily identify and operate the haul truck’s controls. Within a matter of a few sessions they’re becoming proficient operators, learning how to deal with emergency scenarios and operate a haul truck efficiently,” said Espic.

UST teaches using competency-based learning methods which requires active and real activities. In 2014 the university decided to incorporate simulation into the engineering department to help teach students the operation of mining equipment in real world scenarios. An advanced high fidelity simulator does this without risking potential damage to equipment or endangering lives. It also helps the student learn what to do in an emergency situation, which is not always possible on the actual equipment (fires, tire blowouts, etc.)
“We wanted a user-friendly and reliable simulator system with an accurate reporting system. This was one of the reasons why we chose ThoroughTec’s CYBERMINE system; there’s a good relationship between quality and price,” said Espic.

Every student uses the simulator for 11 hours per module.

“At the moment we have 10 students on the module, so the simulator is being used for 110 hours over the course of a month,” said Espic. According to UST the simulator is being used by training companies as well, so it’s used almost permanently.

UST is starting to work with some of the many mining companies in the region who require training programs to improve the skill levels of their haul truck operators