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Australian-developed technology reduces coal-stockpiling hazards

9th August 2013

By: Chantelle Kotze

  

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To tackle specific challenges mining com- panies face, surface and underground equipment simulator supplier to the global mining industry Immersive Technologies, released SimControl 4.6 in May, which is the latest version of software used to control the company’s advanced equipment simulators.

SimControl 4.6 specifically addresses operator safety in coal-stockpiling operations. This technology is embedded in the upgrade of Immersive Technologies’ range of advanced equipment simulators, the PRO3.

“In recent years, the demand for dozer oper- ators working on coal stockpiles has grown significantly, increasing the need for specialised training in what is considered one of the most hazardous environments for dozer oper- ators,” says Immersive Technologies promo-tions department manager Ashley Mullaney.

She points out that coal-stockpiling operations pose a high risk to operator safety and can lead to injuries or death if incorrect procedures are followed; incidents can also halt operations and significantly impact repair and maintenance costs.

The simulation-training-based SimControl 4.6 technology focuses on reducing the operational risk of dozer stockpile operations by creating enhanced operator awareness of surroundings, by training operators to reduce the risk of falling into a void and by assessing the competency of dozer operators to comply with and follow safe operating procedures.

SimControl 4.6 introduces new training tasks and events that pertain directly to dozer coal-stockpile operations and enables the proper training and correction of bad habits and behaviours that lead to unsafe operations at the stockpiling sites.

Bad operating habits, such as operating too close to objects around stockpiles, incorrectly approaching and working around and near coal valves or feeders, as well as operating on unstable ground, are corrected.

“Other training tasks included in SimControl 4.6 are cleaning the hanging wall, pushing out and reclaiming stockpile bench and emergency preparedness training,” notes Mullaney.

The company is continually developing new technologies that provides its customers with the highest return on their investment and the most benefits possible from their simulation-based training, says Immersive Technologies CEO Peter Salfinger.

He adds that future releases of SimControl will incorporate these advantages while addressing further chal-lenges that clients might face.

Meanwhile, Mullaney says that Immersive Technologies’ clients can receive the best value from their investment through the continual instalment of software enhancements, such as the SimControl 4.6, for the PRO3 advanced equipment simulator.

Diversified miner Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek mine, about 120 km south-west of Mackay, in central Queensland, and multinational mining major Glencore Xstrata were instrumental in the development of the SimControl 4.6 technology. Both companies are major producers of coal and worked with Immersive Technologies to ensure that the simulator technology is effective and accurate for on-site coal-stockpiling operations.

Glencore Xstrata has recognised the value of not exposing operators to a potentially dangerous training environment, where there is little chance for trainer interaction and of following a realistic hands-on approach, where operator errors can occur without foregoing safety.

Glencore Xstrata’s site, like many others miners’ sites, has only one stockpile, which means that any type of training halts production. In this instance, simulator technology has proved to be advantageous in keeping operations running at full capacity, while operators are trained to work more safely and productively.

Australia-based labour hire, mining ser- vices, professional placement and international recruitment company Bluestone Global uses Immersive Technologies’ advanced equipment simulators for training and was also a major contributor to the development of SimControl 4.6.

“The dozer stockpile program will easily justify itself, as it can advance operators into a high proficiency level through a method that does not interfere with production. Stringent conditions and protocols complicate other training methods, owing to the inability of the trainer to be close, while the operator is under instruction, in relation to entering and operating on a coal stockpile,” says Bluestone Global safety and environment executive group manager Darren Culley.

Glencore Xstrata identified results while conducting emergency preparedness training of staff at different competency levels of stockpile dozing.

Understanding the proper process and correct sequence in the case of an emergency is essential, as incorrect responses put personal safety and the assets of the business at high risk, says Culley.

In addition to new employee training, the simulator technology can be used to identify experienced operators who need refresher training or proficiency training. For those mining operations that need to hit the ground running with this new technology, Immersive Technologies also provides a training service to facilitate the rapid implementation of Sim-Control 4.6 into existing training programs.

This service includes on-site support from an Immersive Technologies training consultant to quickly integrate the new features into the existing curriculum.

“SimControl 4.6 is an effective tool for mine management to proactively assess the company’s risk and realise the value of properly trained operators through the reduction of dozer incidents on coal stockpiles, improve- ment in productivity measures and increased machine availability, owing to increased operator knowledge,” says Salfinger.

“Solving challenges in the mining industry gives us great pride. The result of this development and many others completed by Immersive Technologies ensures safer and more productive equipment operators in mines worldwide,” he concludes.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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