Covid-19 and the consequent physical-distancing requirements have raised challenges for every mining company, especially in delivering effective training and face-to-face coaching, says global mining technology and workforce optimisation firm Immersive Technologies regional VP Johan Stemmet.

He adds that the company has responded rapidly with innovative solutions to address these challenges.

Of late, the company has delivered several technological and service solutions such as remote support and training solutions.

Offering remote support connection technologies and problem-solving for its advisers and technicians has enabled the company to deliver “high-quality” training programmes.

While ensuring physical distancing, the company has expanded its efforts to keep customers safe while maintaining a high level of learning engagement and knowledge retention.

Stemmet explains that the Immersive Technologies Remote Trainer Station (RTS) solution introduces video conferencing facilities between existing simulator cabins and a trainer desk located in a separate office while allowing trainers to continue coaching and training as if they were next to the trainee.

RTS uses the same “trainer-friendly” interface that customers have become accustomed to in the past 27 years, he says.

“These innovations have enabled an immediate transition to a new way of working with global customers in safe, secure, and flexible methods.”

Additionally, he adds that Immersive Technologies has been delivering workforce development solutions in Mozambique since the inception of major coal mining operations in Tete and, as such, has a clear understanding of the human resource development needs in-country.

“Our high level of experience was gained through collaboration with mining clients and original-equipment manufacturers, primarily in improving machine availability through reduced operator-induced machine abuse.”

Mozambique has skills challenges, similar to most mines in other African countries, says Stemmet, adding that the focus now should be on shifting towards implementing continuous improvement activities using a simulator as the key behavioural change tool.

“A major coal mining company in Mozambique has been using Immersive Technologies’ simulation products exclusively for 11 years.”

He adds that the company, belonging to diversified miner Vale, owns the largest deployment of Immersive simulators across all Vale’s international operations, demonstrating a significant commitment to developing a locally sourced operator workforce.

Immersive Technologies originally supplied surface and underground simulators to Vale in 2009. However, as mine needs changed, Vale continued to partner with Immersive to implement workforce development strategies.

These projects have been instrumental in the successful integration of best practices and gaining the full value of a simulator investment, says Stemmet.

The services are focused on supporting Vale to achieve a return on investment. The establishment of simulator training processes, ensuring trainer readiness, and integrating technology assist in improving work rates.

Meanwhile, he points out that the Mozambique mining region was one of the first to adopt Managed Training Services.

This service was identified as a quick way of de-risking training and technology implementation while delivering real value faster, says Stemmet.

He concludes that Immersive Technologies played an important role in the establishment of a major coal mining project, in the Tete, in 2010, providing a range of simulation-based training services for mining contracting firms. Mota Engil is a prime example of a contractor that is an effective user of its simulation technology, controlling its total cost of ownership and maximising the return on its assets, both of which are crucial in the highly competitive coal market.