Virtual Reality

AUSTRALIA’S MINING MONTHLY – JUNE 2013

Simulator technology company ThoroughTec Simulation is to showcase its range of advanced mining machinery simulators at AIMEX. The company said it had added mining ancillary equipment simulator systems and underground soft-rock equipment simulators to its range of simulation products for the Australian mining industry.

Delegates attending the exhibition in Sydney in August will be encouraged to test drive the surface and underground simulators. AIMEX is the largest mining exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. ThoroughTec said ancillary equipment was often overlooked due to mechanical and behavioural complexities which made it difficult to simulate accurately. In response to industry demand, the company has expanded its range to enable miners to train in the use of drill rigs, scalers, shotcrete sprayers, personnel carriers, graders and draglines.

“Simulation is now possible on every piece of heavy equipment on a mine site.”

BHP Billiton is among the companies that has purchased ThoroughTec’s underground soft-rock mining simulation system, including interchangeable cabs for both primary and ancillary equipment used onsite.

ThoroughTec plans to use its 3 Degree of Freedom motion platform and adaptor plate for the displays, while the CYBERMINE 4 technology will create the realistic sensation of driving vehicles on mine sites. Executive vice-president and director of global business development Gregory Lew said the company’s goal was to be able to supply customers with a simulator system for every piece of heavy equipment used on mine sites.

“ThoroughTec Simulation will use the global stage of AIMEX to exhibit examples of our wide range of advanced mining machinery simulators;’ he said. “Our ancillary mining equipment simulators have expanded the boundaries of simulator training. “Where simulation was once limited to the simpler, more basic vehicle types, it is now possible on every piece of heavy equipment on a mine site. “Customers benefit in that they are able to utilise a single simulation service provider for all their needs, both current and future:’ He said modern mining companies understood the value of integrating simulators into their business improvement programs. “It is an effective means to dramatically enhancing operator competency;’ Lew added.

“This in turn improves not only safety and productivity in mining operations, but also lowers operator machine abuse, machine maintenance costs and the environmental impact of operations. ”All of this contributes significantly to the ultimate goal of achieving true sustainability of the mine site. ”All underground equipment has been simulated to a high level of accuracy for an authentic training experience:’ The South Africa-based company has business development and support staff based in Perth and Brisbane.

ThoroughTec’s key mining clients include Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Gold Corp, Vale and Newmont.