World First for Underground Mining

AUSTRALIA’S MINING MONTHLY – JULY 2013

A jumbo drill rig simulator system which can perform scaling, bolting and mesh handling functions has been released to the underground mining industry. South African training simulator specialist ThoroughTec Simulation’s latest product simulates the Atlas-Copco Boomer 282 and the Sandvik DD420 dual boom drill rigs.

ThoroughTec software manager and specialist in underground simulation Richard Bellengere said his company strived to improve its products to meet customer needs. “Our feedback from Australia indicated a need for drill rig simulator systems that could accurately replicate these ancillary tasks demanded of the actual vehicle;’ he said. Two of ThoroughTec’s most popular simulator cabs are the Boomer 282 and the Sandvik DD420, which are both in their fifth generations. “This optional extension of their functionality further increases their versatility and effectiveness in training program;’ Bellengere said. “Underground drills and bolters are exceptionally difficult to realistically simulate, which is why the third and fourth generation drills represent a significant step forward in their accuracy:’ ThoroughTec simulator-based than 20 years. has been designing training systems for more Its flagship mining simulator is the CYBERMINE series.

“ThoroughTec’s experience in developing stand-alone scaler and bolter simulator systems gave us a solid base to work.”

CYBERMINE is used for surface and underground mining operations, including hard and soft rock, and is capable of replicating a mine’s entire working fleet. “By incorporating our decades of land-based military simulation experience into CYBERMINE products we are able to develop and manufacture realistic simulation systems for even the most complex of mining hardware;’ Bellengere said. “Incorporating scaling, bolting and mesh handling functions posed a challenge to our software development team, but ThoroughTec’s experience in developing stand-alone scaler and bolter simulator systems gave us a solid base to work:’ Several mining companies, including BHP Billiton and South African mining company Gold Fields, have placed orders for ThroughTec’s fifth generation drill rig simulators with the added scaling, bolting and mesh handling capabilities.

ThoroughTec says it has the broadest range of mining simulators, including a full suite of surface vehicles, haul trucks, shovels, excavators, bulldozers, draglines, graders, loaders, drill rigs and articulated dump trucks. The CYBERMINE underground range caters for hard rock and soft rock applications, including jumbo drill rigs, roof bolters, load haul dumpers, articulated dump trucks, dozers, shotcrete sprayers, personnel carriers, dual drum winches, locomotives, continuous miners, shuttlecars and scalers. More than 100 underground CYBERMINE simulator systems have been used around the world by mining giants Anglo-American, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Vale, Newmont and Goldcorp. ThoroughTec’s head office is in Durban, South Africa, with an Asia-Pacific headquarter in Perth, Western Australia.