Global technology leaders in mine equipment training and advanced mobile-machine control fields have joined forces to deliver a unique remote control training solution designed to improve mine safety and profitability. Immersive Technologies (IMMT) has been a leading innovator in the mine equipment operator training area, while RCT is a respected international supplier of customised mine vehicle control and guidance systems.
While IMMT solutions are focussed on simulation training, allowing operators to learn and practice their skills for mobile equipment tasks, RCT provides its own skills training programs for its ControlMaster® Smart Automation and Control products.
IMMT recently delivered an Advanced underground loader simulator complete with RCT ControlMaster® CM2000D line-of-sight remote control. The simulator will be used in Kazakhstan to comprehensively train miners in the safe operation of loaders in both manual and remote-control modes.
The prominent Kazakhstan zinc miner has a strong ongoing commitment to safety, conducting remote and tele-remote mining as well as manual loading across many sites to boost production while maintaining high safety levels.
As the article in the July issue of International Mining magazine notes, good training is essential to miners’ operating performance, helping to initiate new operators, upskill existing miners and track skill degradation over time.
Simulator training allows operators to be trained and assessed without the need to borrow machines from production. New operators can practice and develop skills before being placed in a mine’s production circuit. Because IMMT simulator-trained operators are consistently monitored, coached supervised, and assessed on correct operating techniques, they gain a better understanding and knowledge of real-mine machine operation.
Past remote training was only possible with a machine that otherwise would have been assigned to production. The new approach shortens training time, negates the risk and cost of machine or mine damage during training, and speeds the introduction of new operators at mines.
