SIMULATOR TRAINING
Maksadov . “ The simulator is made so that the person integrates as quickly as possible . To do this , we have recreated a dump truck control panel that is close to reality . The simulator will help you develop the right driving habits , at the same time quickly and safely .”
Grigory Podskalnyuk , Head of Road Transport at SSGPO JSC comments : “ Having completed training on such a simulator , the driver will be able to feel more confident in his career . This will ultimately contribute to lower production costs , increased productivity and , most importantly , safer driving .”
The development of safe driving skills is also aimed at the ability of the program to create various weather and time conditions , as well as simulate emergency situations . Engine fire , tyre explosion , brake system failure and more incident types are simulated in realistic mode and require the operator to make a decision as quickly as possible . This has already been tested by six leading drivers of the road transport department from the Rudny and Kacharskaya sites . After appropriate training , four of them will become instructors in training and testing the knowledge of other operators of the large-capacity equipment of the association .
“ We can safely say that such systems are the future ,” summed up VP Production of JSC SSGPO Sergey Kuzmenko . “ It will be the next step in our drive to implement an Industry 4.0 program .”
Barminco ’ s training commitment to Botswana
In June 2019 , diversified mining services company Perenti announced that its subsidiary , leading hard-rock underground miner Barminco , had been awarded a five year underground mining services contract at the Zone 5 Mine in Botswana from Khoemacau Copper Mining ( Pty ) Ltd worth approximately A $ 800 million .
A big part of success in a major contract at a greenfield mine in a country like Botswana is getting the training element right . At the time , Barminco Chief Executive Officer Paul Muller said : “ In addition to excellent safety , quality and productivity outcomes at Zone 5 , success will also be measured by the creation of a highly skilled local workforce through effective training , skills transfer and leading technology programs .”
Perenti Managing Director and CEO Mark Norwell gave some insights into progress so far in November 2020 : “ We have already built a state-of-the-art training centre to support underground and open cut businesses in Botswana . This is a long term commitment to developing local people . The training centre is twice the size of the training centre we have in Perth and it incorporates the latest technology and techniques that we use for training in
Australia . We have already trained 200 local people to be part of the operations and the difference we have made is beyond just skills transfer … when we train and develop people in Africa we do so not just to enable mining to take place but more importantly to create value for the people and the community in which we operate and we are a part of .”
Norwell added that the centre , which opened in September 2020 , has been developed in a collaborative approach with the client and that beyond the already trained 200 local employees the initial full target is 500 , while international employees also undergo cultural awareness training .
Barminco told IM that the 3,400 m 2 training centre in Maun , Botswana is a key part of its training strategy . “ The facility replicates what it is like to work underground , using technology to offer customised virtual reality scenarios for underground activities . It means new employees go to site with a much better understanding of the mining environment so they are safer and can operate more efficiently . The centre is used to train employees , in a safe environment , in all the core competencies required through the mining induction process to ensure they are ready for site . The training includes practical working at heights , refuge chamber use , prestart , LV operations , LOTO / isolation , firefighting and first aid training .”
The training centre also includes state of the art simulators including two IM360-B Immersive Technologies models , which are used to train employees on the specialist mining equipment being used on site . This includes 60 t class underground mining trucks including the Sandvik TH663 , plus Sandvik LH621 LHDs as well as underground drills including the DD421 and DD422 development jumbos and DL421 longhole drill . A trades workshop is located at the centre where local tradespeople are trained across a variety of courses to improve their knowledge and practical skills . These courses include pneumatics , hydraulics , electrics , fuel systems , hand tools , power tools and general engineering amongst others .
Finally , the fact it has been built to support both underground and open cut mining shows it is very much at the heart of Perenti ’ s growth strategy and long term commitment to Botswana
as it can support any future pipeline of projects located in the Kalahari Copper Belt .
M & R quantum leap for training
In what it describes as a quantum leap for training in the underground mining sector , the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy ( MRTA ) is strategically positioning itself to take its world class learning systems to customers on their own sites .
This innovative move , according to Murray & Roberts Cementation Education , Ttraining and Development ( ETD ) Executive Tony Pretorius , incorporates the use of remote e-learning solutions coupled to Dover Assessment for psychomotor skills , VR Simulation , mass assessment tools and classroom response systems – or ‘ clickers .’
“ It is an exciting step beyond the MRTA ’ s industry-leading facilities at Bentley Park near Carletonville , South Africa and opens doors for companies to generate and upgrade skills even during the COVID-19 pandemic ,” Pretorius says .
“ Making use of the latest technologies – such as interactive touchscreens – we can now offer two-dimensional and three-dimensional training interventions ,” he says . “ This can be deployed with virtual reality ( VR ) training modules , including the use of VR simulators that we are developing with our strategic technology partner , Simulated Training Solutions ( STS ).”
Among the high-tech advances being driven by the academy is a portable VR drill rig . The portfolio of ground-breaking training tools will be easily transported in a purpose-designed trailer to sites convenient to the customer – even on mines themselves .
Applying the tools , he says , will be members of MRTA ’ s experienced team of trainers , accredited by the Mining Qualifications Authority .
Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy ( MRTA ) is strategically positioning itself to take its world class learning systems to customers on their own sites such as virtual reality ( VR ) training modules that include the use of VR simulators
64 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021