Simulation-based training will now be part of mining equipment operator workforce development in Saudi Arabia through what supplier Immersive Technologies states will be the largest mining simulation investment in history to date. Ma’aden, the largest mining company in Saudi Arabia, will utilise Immersive Technologies simulators to address one of the biggest challenges faced by the Kingdom – developing a skilled workforce to support the expansion of mining. Through a partnership with Immersive Technologies, Ma’aden and Missouri S&T, hundreds of mining operators will be trained annually at Saudi Arabia’s first specialist training institute for the mining industry.

Missouri S&T, a long-time customer of Immersive Technologies, signed an agreement with Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP), originally established by Ma’aden, and the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of Saudi Arabia, to provide mining training programs. Missouri S&T will utilise Immersive Technologies’ simulators in their training programs. Missouri S&T currently uses Immersive Technologies’ simulators in their mining equipment operator training. Dr Samuel Frimpong, Chair of Missouri S&T’s Mining and Nuclear Engineering Department said: “Simulators from Immersive Technologies will play an important role in helping Missouri S&T deliver a world class training program for the Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP) in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Immersive Technologies and Missouri S&T have an excellent opportunity to shape the direction of the mining industry in Saudi Arabia through this workforce development at SMP.”

The investment includes seven Advanced Equipment Simulators and 18 simulator modules (Conversion Kits) for both surface and underground mining. Saudi Arabia marks the 35th country to utilise Immersive Technologies’ simulators. “Ma’aden has a solid reputation for investing in the best technology and we are honored to be part of their workforce development solution,” says Peter Salfinger, Chief Executive Officer at Immersive Technologies. “Our simulators will support Ma’aden and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in training their young people to further develop mining as a solid pillar of the Saudi economy. The Saudi Mining Polytechnic will build a foundational workforce for Saudi Arabia to become a sought after place for global miners to invest and for Ma’aden to become even more prominent on mining’s global landscape.”