WHY SIMULATION?

CYBERMINE mining equipment simulators improve safety, increase productivity and reduce costs.

Mining simulators allow for precise training in a safe and controlled environment, preventing unnecessary dangers on the mine site and reducing the frequency of accidents, resulting in competent, productive machine operators. By concentrating on specific tasks and being continuously monitored, trainee operators receive accelerated training that improves their productivity and eliminates bad habits at the outset. CYBERMINE mining simulators have very low running costs which, coupled with zero lost opportunity costs during training, makes for an outstanding return on investment. Successful mines around the world use CYBERMINE mining simulators to safely and effectively train operators for both surface and underground mining operations.

Increase Training Efficiency

Just minutes after taking their seat, trainee mine operators can be loading a haul truck in the pit area or drilling at the rock face. Each simulator training session can focus on the necessary operator training without wasted time getting to the required location. Mining simulators are able to bridge the gap from classroom learning to hot-seat training faster by combining visual cues, motion, sound and motor memory with an advanced reporting system to fast-track mining students to the required competency level. During training, operator errors are identified and recorded so trainees are able to focus on areas where they need to for accelerated improvement and elimination of bad habits.

Mining simulators ensure that trainee operators are evaluated in a standardised and quantifiable manner and are scored against both their peers and an ‘expert’ benchmark for an accurate report of their competence. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and experience can also be formally evaluated and recognised. CYBERMINE mining simulators allow for a standardised training programme to be established so that outcomes from the programme can also be standardised and are quantifiable for consistent training results.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Because mining equipment is being used for fewer training tasks, the associated running costs of training are greatly reduced, allowing the purchase price of the mining simulator system to be quickly recouped. Damage and wear-and-tear on mining equipment decreases as green operators are able to familiarise themselves with the controls of the machines and iron out their mistakes on the mining simulator instead of the real machine. This means less unscheduled maintenance and lower maintenance and training costs.

Increase Safety

Training on a mining simulator allows trainee operators to learn all the vehicle’s functions and operating procedures in a safe and controlled environment. Mine personnel and mining equipment are not put at risk by rookie operators, while at the touch of a button trainees can be exposed to various emergency procedures such as tyre bursts, brake failure or engine fires, none of which can be safely taught on the real vehicle. This prepares trainee operators to be able to identify hazards in the real world, thereby preventing accidents, and fewer accidents means reduced downtime and increased productivity.

Increase Productivity

Trainee heavy equipment operators are taught to get the most efficiency out of their vehicles and are continuously monitored during the training process. Faults and inefficiencies are recorded and can be improved upon through after-action review and analysis. In addition, the production cycle is not compromised by mining equipment being removed for training purposes. A more efficient operator is a more productive operator – greater efficiency means reduced cycle times, more productivity and ultimately lower costs per tonne.