TRAINING & SIMS able to train for this in a digital environment. In a today’ s Charmec Revo, the operator stands at the side of the machine about 6 m from the face in a line of sight arrangement for the charging, installing the priming unit, the detonator and booster, into the robotic arm – eventually as this is also automated by utilising a priming magazine, we can move the operator into the cabin 12 m away. Long term a final target is to get the operator away from the excavation level.”
Normet has been working closely on Charmec Revo with Forcit, the explosives supplier for the trial; and in 2024 testing at the Outokumpu Kemi chromite mine in Finland was concluded, which proved the functionality and accuracy of the system, as well as the undeniable benefits in operator safety and ergonomics- 22 development tunnel faces were loaded successfully and remotely with Charmec Revo. The system uses scanner technology to avoid and prevent collisions between the rock walls and the robotic arm. Safety radar is used to enable human-robot collaboration and to ensure the highest safety for blasting operators during the arm’ s automated movements.
Harri Sonninen, Global Product Manager – Training solutions and new technologies at Normet told IM:“ In terms of the simulator itself, it has already been extensively used at the factory in Iisalmi during R & D as well as during customer visits for demonstration training value with simulators, the first training use with a customer is set to happen by end-November 2025 as part of the Normet Training Solutions program. This is where customers come to a Normet site for sim-based and other technical training. This first use of the Revo sim will actually be in Australia. Software and hardware development was all done in-house by Normet, with input from industry subjectmatter experts in underground operations.”
The simulator will then be showcased at several mining events- ultimately, the plan is to build a Charmec Revo simulator network, which will be used for global training needs at the factory in Finland and at Normet Centres of Excellence ´ s around the world. In the future, Normet will also look to achieve more modularity of the simulators and potentially allow operators to train for several machines on one sim; plus, as its machines become more autonomous- such as semi-autonomous or autonomous Spraymecs, then the simulator will have to reflect the operator’ s continued monitoring role for the machines.
Chile’ s Yoy Simulators and the VR opportunity
After more than 11 years of experience creating VR simulations, Chile’ s Yoy Simulators says it has identified key guidelines for mining companies looking to adopt this technology.“ Being based in Chile provides us with a unique and privileged perspective. This proximity has allowed us to learn from and experiment with some of the largest mining operations worldwide, gaining firsthand insights into their challenges and technological advancements. These lessons are not only valuable locally but also transferable to mining operations in other countries, helping the industry leverage VR to elevate training standards.”
Yoy says its work in VR training began with heavy machinery simulation, initially focusing on compact, transportable crane simulators.“ Over time, we expanded to underground and open-pit mining equipment, including mining trucks, LHD machines, and drilling rigs. In parallel, we developed VR mining risk schools, to train workers into realistic simulated situations involving accidents and safety procedures.” Its training modules have been used with different levels of intensity in many mines, such as Spence, Quebrada Blanca 2, Collahuasi, El Soldado and El Teniente.
After thousands of miners using our technology and multiple iterations, Yoy has identified four essential characteristics that it says make a VR training experience truly effective- a repeating formula and ease of use; that it must feel human, real and natural; strategic content selection and clear learning objectives; plus meaningful data collection for continuous improvement.
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