ThoroughTec Simulation stamped the completion of its global expansion with the introduction of its new 4^th generation CYBERMINE simulator system at AIMEX in Australia and Extemin in Peru. This followed the recent establishment of the South American office in Santiago as well as the expansion of the Australasian office in Perth, the North American office in Toronto and the South African office in Durban which supports the EMEA region. This expansion was essential to meet demand and increase the support network across the globe following successful sales to the University of Alaska, Yukon Mine Training Association, Anglo American and Wesfarmers, amongst others (see October issue of International Mining).For the first time in many years, visitors to AIMEX (held at the site of the Sydney Olympics in 2000) were offered the unique opportunity to physically compare ThoroughTec’s new 4^th Generation CYBERMINE simulator with those of other simulator companies, all in one location. ThoroughTec, now with a newly established office in Santiago, Chile, made its grand entrance into the South American market with an impressive display at Extemin in Arequipa, Peru.

Both events attracted record trade visitor numbers with significant increases in interstate and international visitors, Thoughtec reports. “Mine site senior management, CEOs from training & recruitment schools, technical directors from OEMs and mining students from several universities flocked to the exhibitions. Many came by appointment to test arguably the most difficult machines to simulate in the industry: the Dragline and the Underground Dual-Boom Drill Rig. Visitors were also treated to demonstrations of quick changeovers between Haul Truck, Dragline and Underground Drill Rig Cabs.

“OEM representatives from Caterpillar, Komatsu, Sandvik, P&H, Joy, Atlas Copco and Liebherr were at hand to give their opinion of the new simulators. Most of their comments highlighted the CYBERMINE⁴ system’s unique ability to interchange between any Surface and Underground equipment and across all OEMs. The new generation system also boasts the largest in-container classroom space, an enhanced instructor operator station with dual hi-definition screens for student monitoring, recorded training sessions and complete 3D fly-around freedom within the virtual mine world.

“ThoroughTec’s business model and brand values were also enthusiastically received. The largest, fastest growing machine coverage and rapid development times for new machines appealed to many mine sites, as did the technology architecture that allows customisation of every machine to specific customer-centric requirements.”

Greg Lew and Mark Walker, two of ThoroughTec Simulation’s executive team, were present at AIMEX and commented that the market validation of their value proposition and superior products has been quite overwhelming. This company took a serious look at customers’ highest values and then put its military simulation Research & Development team to work at re-shaping how mining simulators should be built.

Dr. John Waltham, ThoroughTec’s Executive Director, and Felipe Ramirez, ThoroughTec’s newly appointed Regional Manager present at Extemin, said “We have always believed that sound engineering principles are the key to building a sustainable advantage. The credibility of ThoroughTec’s 20-years of Military Standard Engineering (MIL-STD) and accredited ISO 9001 Quality Management System differentiates us from everyone else’s gaming industry background. With many mines being in isolated areas we consider reliability, maintainability and availability to be of utmost importance when purchasing simulators and hence manufacture so as to ensure the highest mean time between unscheduled maintenance and the lowest total cost of ownership.”