Technology & equipment
Rather than replacing traditional learning techniques and environments, VR is better seen as a way to enhance and enrich trainee experiences and ensure greater learning outcomes.
increase training efficiency to achieve a 50% reduction in training time when rolled out company-wide and 76% reduction in worksite accidents after completing VR training.
Reducing environmental impact One of the less obvious outcomes of adopting VR training is a reduction in CO2
emissions, says
Sonninen. In fact, this was a key driver for Normet to shift to VR, as well as its cost efficiency benefits. “The one-week training sprayed concrete operator course in real life would include around €10,000– 20,000 worth of cement, application materials and operating costs,” Sonninen explains. “This all incurs GHG emissions, particularly the use of concrete, which has high CO2
emissions.” Conversely, the
simulator has an upfront cost but once this is paid the only cost is the teacher’s time, he says. Additionally, companies can even save on concrete post training because miners taught with the VR and training expert can produce up to 10–30% less waste on the job, according to Normet’s studies. This marries with the growing incentives to reduce waste and lower emissions in mining, including increased ESG reporting requirements.
Industry uptake
A growing group of miners are beginning to become aware of the benefits of VR for safety training, especially when done at scale. For example, state- owned Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) in India has introduced a VR-based programme to provide safety and operational training to its 17,000-strong workforce by 2026. This is part of its plan to drive up coal production to 300 million tonnes by the same year. At the mining industry’s flagship conference Mining Indaba this year, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa unveiled a newly developed VR technology for training on how to
World Mining Frontiers /
www.nsenergybusiness.com
adequately respond to near-real emergency situations, such as underground fires and explosions. Developing the technology was part of its mandate to “deliver people-centred solutions that prioritise the safety of workers in mining environments,” said Sibongile Ntsoelengoe, executive manager for future production, mining, back in February. VR is not a panacea, however. The experts stress it should be a part of the traditional training framework. “We’re not trying to replace any of the traditional methods completely, but to enhance and enrich the learning experience and make it even better for the student,” says Morison. What’s more, although the mining sector has been quicker than others to adopt the technology for training, using it still requires a mind shift from organisations and employees. Those new to the technology should be supported and sessions should be short, impactful and well planned, according to PwC.
Sonninen believes that, previously, the industry was not fully ready to use this kind of technology at scale. Normet has plans to bring more simulator options across its training modules and has been waiting for the right time to launch them. “The industry has just got to the level where it is interested in implementing simulated training. It takes time for the sector to understand what the benefits of VR are, there still needs to be more knowledge around that,” he says. Uptake could be accelerated exponentially, however, by the release of the Apple Vision Pro headset expected early in 2023. “That will see a huge shift in the adoption of VR technology because anything Apple does catches on like wildfire,” says Morison. When this happens, he adds, those that were early adopters, where VR is already part of the organisational culture, will be in a great position. ●
25
Proximity
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