SIMULATION Training simulators are necessary to ensure that operators know how to operate a drill rig safely and efficiently without the mine having to take it out of production for too long
In response to the growing need for skilled drilling personnel, global training simulator provider ThoroughTec Simulation is increasing the number of its Cybermine blast-hole drill rig simulator cabs, says operations VP Richard Bellengère.
This production drive will make the cabs available to more mining companies, enabling them to train their employees to operate blast-hole drill rigs correctly, and in a safe and efficient manner.
“Over the past year, we have produced five blast-hole drill rig simulators and we will continue to increase the numbers going foward,” he says, adding that the company currently has close to 600 simulators deployed worldwide.
Bellengère says the first Cybermine simulator was introduced in the late 1990s, triggered by the success of the company’s truck simulators.
“Blast-hole drill rigs are complex machines that have to be operated correctly, safely and efficiently at all times, as they are vital cogs in openpit mining operations.”
He adds that, despite advances in automation, these drill rigs need a skilled operator – besides learning how to accurately position the rig and the mast, the operator also needs to know how to change rods on the carousel and drill at the right angle and pressure so that the rods and drill bit do not burn up or break.
Further, Bellengère says the blast-hole drill rig operators often have to work with an outside assistant, pointing out that ThoroughTec is catering for this by creating a three-dimensional, artificially intelligent mineworker to work with the trainee in the simulated cab.
He adds that the simulator also enables a company to train its workers without taking any of its rigs out of production for extended periods, which improves cost efficiency.
Meanwhile, Bellengère notes that a major manganese producer in South Africa ordered the Atlas Copco Pit Viper 271 and the Sandvik DR580 drill rig simulators early last year.
He further advises that any company in the market for a blast-hole drill rig training simulator should consider ThoroughTec’s experience in building reliable simulators.
“Our first order for a blast-hole drill rig simulator was a P&H 250XPC for a diamond mine in South Africa nearly ten years ago . . . since then, we have progressed significantly with the in-house development of blast-hole drill rig simulators and continue to be a reliable provider to mines worldwide.”