SOUTH AFRICAN TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES
phase that they experienced their biggest challenge,” says De Beer.“ The support phase is a critical step in the entire process where the ground-fall risks are identified and managed through implementing roof support mechanisms. This is how the convenient, cost-effective andefficient Sub Surface Profiler came about.”
De Beer concludes:‘ Reutech Mining has been and continues to be a successful provider of worldleading movement and surveying radar systems for the surface mining industry in 24 countries on six continents. Reutech systems have provided information that has saved numerous lives and enhanced safety in the surface mining workspace. We now bring the same quality and ingenuity to the underground environment, and look forward to contribute even more to this new mining segment.”
The Velardeña mine in México’ s Durango State, part of Industrias Peñoles, the world’ s largest producer of silver, has expanded its heavy equipment operator training programme with the inclusion of ThoroughTec Simulation’ s CYBERMINE E-learning system and Operator Familiarisation Trainer( OFT) for its drill rig and LHD operators. The mine has been running CYBERMINE highfidelity Full Mission Simulators( FMS) as part of its training program for nearly three years. Velardeña is a project vital to the development and economy of the region, with hundreds of jobs generated.
Velardeña received its fourth generation CYBERMINE simulators for training on the Sandvik DD320 drill rig and LH517 LHD in mid-2013. The mine operates over 10 drill rigs and 15 LHDs.
José Ignacio Porras, Vice President of Americas at ThoroughTec:“ We’ re confident the mine will see an even bigger improvement in workforce performance thanks to these additional training systems.”
The CYBERMINE E-learning system guides the workforce through the basic controls and operation of a particular piece of equipment, as well as providing mine environment and site procedure orientation. The courses are very interactive ensuring that learners are totally engaged and advance at their own pace. Learning in this way helps with memory recall and students are able to gain knowledge quickly. Examples include demonstrating the importance of Personal Protection Equipment( PPE), conducting walkaround inspection, recognising and responding to hazards within the mine and identifying various types of signage.
Once the DD320 and LH517 operators have completed their E-learning course, they will move onto Velardeña’ s new CYBERMINE OFT so they can familiarise themselves with the instruments and controls and all the equipment’ s functions before entering the FMS phase. This supplementary system is intended to develop and entrench advanced, mine operator psycho-motor skills. Velardeña’ s operators are taken through detailed
The CYBERMINE Operator Familiarisation Trainer( OFT) is one of the training tools used at Velardeña
exercises via an advanced interactive touchscreen incorporated with the cab’ s controls. It is also designed to accommodate the interchangeable cabs not actively engaged in FMS training.
“ The biggest improvement that we have seen so far is the faster turnaround time to train a new operator,” says Superintendent of Training and Development at Peñoles, Carlos Macias.“ This decreases the total cost of training and accident risks significantly.” According to Macias, when back in the field the operators are more familiar with all the health and safety regulations, which contributes to a safer environment and improved production.
When it comes to workforce productivity, Velardeña ensures training of operators in an environment that requires them to operate the
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JANUARY 2017 | International Mining 45