The annual award for mining companies using simulation for equipment operator optimization and business improvement progressed this year, recognizing global winners for surface and underground mining environments based on their improvements achieved during 2017.

The award, sponsored by Immersive Technologies, acknowledges the achievements of mine sites focused on improving operational safety, efficiency and productivity through strategic and focused simulator-based training initiatives globally.

Underground Winner: NEMISA, the largest underground miner in Mexico, was awarded the Global Underground Business Improvement Award for their unprecedented results achieved during 2017 at their two mines: Cobriza and Dolores.

The sites set goals to reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity. After the training was delivered in the IM360 simulators, trainers spent time in the field to confirm and reinforce the best practices learned on the simulator. Before, during and at the end of the three-month period, in-pit data was analyzed against the simulator results to evaluate real improvements.

For both mines combined, the training initiative decreased the site’s cost per tonne by 7.53%. Among the improvements the sites reported:

At Cobriza mine:

• 4% Tire cost improvement
• 26.5% Mechanical and spare parts reduction
• 60.2% Engine repair cost reduction

At Dolores mine:

• 29.4% Tire cost improvement
• 10.4% Fuel cost reduction
• 38.7% Transmission abuse cost reduction

“We are very satisfied with the results delivered by Immersive technologies’ simulators and professional services provided. These simulators have been the missing piece in our operator training program and will be an important solution for our future efforts.” says José Luis Contreras, Maintenance Manager, NEMISA.

Surface Winner: DTP Mining in partnership with Randgold Resources at Gounkoto Gold Mine undertook an initiative to invest in their operator workforce development by deploying a training simulator from Immersive Technologies.

A 6-Month Proof of Concept was undertaken, utilizing the IM360 classroom simulator, with a Conversion Kit for the Caterpillar 777F Haul Truck, followed by a customized training curriculum to train operators.

Collaboration between Immersive Technologies’ staff, site trainers, local BI department members and mine site management ensured that a stringent training schedule could be adhered to. Regular reporting of results maintained project momentum, while planned in-field observations reinforced the training received and improvements made during simulator training sessions.

During 2017 the site recorded a 9% fuel consumption improvement saving 1.2 million liters annually with an estimated cost savings of $725,000 USD.

NEMISA and DTP Mining were chosen from more than 300 global mining operations in 44 countries and joins the ranks of prominent past winners including Rio Tinto, Vale, Kiewit Mining Group, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, Cipta Kridatama, Cliffs Natural Resources, Syncrude, Kinross and Peabody.