The annual recognition for mining companies using simulation for operator training and business improvement from Immersive Technologies was awarded to Australia’s Rio Tinto Marandoo. The award recognises the achievements of mine sites focused on improving operational safety, efficiency and productivity through strategic and focused simulator based training initiatives.
The global finalists for the 2015 award included Kinross Fort Knox (North America), Anglo American Los Bronces (Chile) and KPC (Indonesia). Finalists had reported significant results in fuel savings, spot times, reduction in truck breakdowns and increased tyre efficiency among others.
Improved cycles time, machine uptime and savings in training earned Rio Tinto Marandoo the 2015 Business Improvement Award. Pictured are Wayde Salfinger, Executive Director – Marketing Immersive Technologies and Tony Maurice, Marandoo – Supervisor Training Mine Operations.
The introduction of a new truck type presented operator adaptability and mixed fleet operation risks but the team at Marandoo followed a six sigma methodology to address the integration. As part of the approach simulators from Immersive Technologies were used to measure and improve operator skill and behaviour.
Within three months the site reported:
- 31% reduction in operator induced machine reliability events
- 60% savings in training resources (trainer hours)
- 11% improvement in truck mean time between failure specific to operator induced machine reliability components (six month period)
- 5% cycle time improvement
“The project captured and refined practices, conducted trials, adjusted the processes and validated theoretical benefits in a safe environment with minimal interruptions to mining activity,” says Project Leader, Tony Maurice, Marandoo – Supervisor Training Mine Operations.
Rio Tinto Marandoo was chosen from more than 265 global mining operations in 39 countries and joins the ranks of prominent past winners including Kiewit Mining Group, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, Cipta Kridatama, Cliffs Natural Resources, Syncrude, Kinross and Peabody.
