A new virtual reality underground mine training centre has been officially opened today at Redbank, near Brisbane, at a cost of half a million dollars.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the $500,000 state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) Mine Training Facility was designed to improve safety in the resources sector.
“The resources sector employs thousands of Queenslanders and we expect there to be many thousands more as projects, such as those in the Galilee Basin, get underway,” Mr Cripps said.
“In the past, many trainees would begin employment without ever having experienced these conditions, but now they can do so in a safe and controlled environment.
“The Immersive VR technology used in this centre will take miners into an underground mine environment, allowing them to experience simulated emergency situations and identify the most appropriate responses to keep themselves and fellow workers safe.
“Training this way will help reduce the potential for critical mistakes to occur in the actual workplace and will protect the future of this industry that is vital to supercharging the Queensland economy.”
Mr Cripps said the facility will be located at the Department of Natural Resources and Mines Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (Simtars) and was developed in partnership with Brisbane company VR Space.
“A 3D replica of a working Queensland underground coal mine was created using cutting-edge, real time interactive graphics and immersive display technology,” he said.
“This includes all above and underground equipment and mine infrastructure such as an operating longwall, continuous miners, loaders, shuttle cars, belt systems, support, ventilation devices and safety equipment.
“This level of detail will allow trainees to safely experience and respond to situations from many perspectives – including time and event pressure which is not possible in real-life.
Initially, immersive virtual reality training will focus on underground coal mine safety, but Simtars plans to expand future courses to cover workers involved in metalliferous and open cut mining.
More information about Simtars is available at http://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/
Add Comment