GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS: AFRICA As a way of preventing accidents
in real-world settings, scientists at the University of Pretoria have produced a virtual reality (VR) centre as a practical contribution toward mine safety. T e centre is a fi rst in Africa, off ering a mine design centre, a 3D stereoscopic theatre and a 3D 360° 10m-diameter 4.5m-high cylinder. It off ers the opportunity to reconstruct any and every mine incident and view it in the 3D stereoscopic theatre as well as the immersive cylinder (both with the use of 3D glasses). Inside, the viewer can be fully immersed in the experience without risk of injury. In this way other senses are drawn into the experience of the incident to enhance learning.
The age of immersion “I recently attended an immersive education conference in France and it was emphasised over and over that the age of immersion has just started, with great potential to enhance learning,” says Professor Ronny Webber-Youngman, PhD, head of the Department of Mining Engineering at the University. An
experiment in the USA that involved assessment comparing immersive VR and normal 2D found that after six weeks the group that only experienced the 2D environment remembered 30% of what they learned whereas the VR immersed group remembered everything. “T is is a remarkable testimony of the potential impact of VR,” remarks Webber-Youngman. Mine safety is part of the education at the university. “T e mining company Anglo American has an operational risk management programme for all of its senior managers and supervisors. We were given permission to use this material and I have included it as fi nal year module for our students with great success. Safety, health and other risks associated with mines – including fi nances – are being tackled with our students.” Webber-Youngman says the nation’s mines have made signifi cant steps in improving safety records. Referring to 2014’s record low in fatalities, he reveals that from January 1, 2015, up to September 7, 2015, there were 52 fatalities compared with 65 fatalities
One death is one death too
many and we are all doing whatever it takes to ensure zero harm at our mines
Professor Ronny Webber- Youngman, head of the Department of Mining Engineering, University of Pretoria
Students immersed in a VR scene
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