WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE on show at Electra Mining

ThoroughTec Simulation, the world’s leading supplier of heavy equipment workforce improvement solutions, will be demonstrating its unique CYBERMINE range of training technologies at this year’s Electra Mining exhibition. ThoroughTec’s exhibit will showcase the latest generation hi-fidelity, Full-Mission Simulator alongside the revolutionary CYBERMINE Workforce Excellence (WX) Platform.

Headquartered in Durban, South Africa with international sales and support offices around the globe, ThoroughTec has been developing advanced, simulator-based training solutions for over twenty years. With a foundation in the demanding military sector the company now enjoys more than 20-years’ experience in mining operator training and is proud to offer the world’s largest portfolio of surface and underground mining equipment simulators, covering almost every major (and most minor) OEMs.

With such a rich and diverse foundation of simulator products, ThoroughTec has increasingly shifted its R&D focus into complementary and supporting technologies, all designed to provide their clients with more holistic and effective training solutions, which ultimately deliver even greater returns. Chief amongst these workforce optimisation systems is the CYBERMINE WX training management platform, E-Learning and Pre-Trip Inspection.

“We’re delighted with the progress and potential of WX and excited to be demonstrating its ground-breaking abilities at Electra Mining,” says Adam Smallman, Regional Vice President of Europe, Middle East and Africa at ThoroughTec. This ‘first-of-class’ system is designed to finally close the gap between training and operations, scientifically measuring operator performance in the field to inform targeted, performance-boosting training interventions.

With multiple field trials now complete, the system is entering the industrialisation phase, with initial results indicating huge potential to improve workforce safety, increase productivity and do so at reduced operating costs. “Interest in its potential has been immense,” adds Smallman.

At a system level, WX works by continuously monitoring individual operator behaviours, analysing the data through a proprietary AI engine and then automatically recommending tailored simulator-based training interventions to improve operator’s performance. “Our pilot focus for WX is on the mining industry, specifically surface load and haul” says Justin Collins, CEO. “But we have already started adapting the system for underground application and then, in the medium term we intend rolling it out into other industries such as construction and the commercial driving sectors.”

For anyone interested in test-driving one of ThoroughTec’s incredibly realistic Full-Mission Simulators, a CYBERMINE Komatsu PC5500 hydraulic face shovel simulator will be on show and available for demonstration. These high-fidelity fourth generation simulators remain the cornerstone of ThoroughTec’s integrated training system and are in service at mines around the world, where, “they allow for highly-realistic, ‘practical’ training in a safe, cost-effective and controlled environment,” notes Smallman.

“Our vision is simple”, says Collins, “we believe in the power of technology and the potential of people to make the real difference in mining”. With the industries leading training technologies at their disposal and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction through high-quality engineering, ThoroughTec’s stand (D1) in Hall 5 at Electra should be at the top of your visit list!