Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc Ltd, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of zinc-lead, recently received high-fidelity training simulators from ThoroughTec Simulation. Their Rampura Agucha operation in Rajasthan, India, took delivery of three fourth-generation CYBERMINE simulators to assist in operator training as they move underground. The removable simulator cabs and instructor station are housed in an internally modified and durable ISO shipping container.
Rampura Agucha is the world’s largest zinc mine and has started the process of moving operations underground after open pit mining since 1991. The three simulator cabs cover an Atlas Copco 282 drill rig and MT436B articulated dump truck and a Sandvik LH517 LHD. “We are very pleased and proud to be chosen as the training simulator provider to Rampura Agucha,” says Greg Lew, EVP and Director of Global Business Development at ThoroughTec. “We believe they chose us due to our reliable, competitive training solutions and strong track record of delivering complex systems to remote locations around the world.”
This is the second Hindustan Zinc mine to receive ThoroughTec simulators after the Sindesar Khurd site received CYBERMINE simulators for a Sandvik, Toro 40D ADT, DD320 drill rig and LH517 LHD. “We take safety very seriously here at Rampura Agucha and we look forward to utilising these high fidelity simulators to maintain and also improve safety levels,” says Rampura Agucha’s Assistant General Manager, Ghanshyam Soni. As the mine moves its operations underground, the mine will also be looking to ensure that productivity levels are maximised. “These simulators will play a vital and cost-effective role in training our operators to use these new vehicles efficiently as we ramp up the underground mine to an ore production capacity of 3.75 Mt/y.”
This is not the first time where advanced high fidelity training simulators have been used to help a mine move its operations underground. “Our simulators have helped operators at two massive gold and copper mines in Asia make the move from open pit to underground operations,” says Lew. Moving from open pit to underground mining is no easy task and requires different operator skill sets due to the confined spaces and increased level of danger.
