Mining Magazine > Panorama > Wesfarmers selects ThoroughTec for Curragh ramp up

Wesfarmers Curragh, one of Australia’s largest independent coal producers, has chosen to integrate ThoroughTec’s new CYBERMINE4 surface mining simulators into its training programs.
Construction works are ongoing for the expansion of the mine up to 7.7Mt/y of export metallurgical coal capacity. Project completion is expected in the March quarter of 2012, with a drilling programme beginning in April.
Greg Sheppard, Wesfarmers’ manager of engineering and projects, said: “We had taken a diligent review of the major mining simulator players in the Market. ThoroughTec impressed us with their superior accuracy, authenticity and broad coverage of machines.”
Wesfarmers has purchased ThoroughTec Simulation’s 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) base simulator unit and interchangeable cabs for the Komatsu 730E truck, CAT D10T dozer and Bucyrus-Eyrie 1570-W dragline.
Richard Giumelli from Wesfarmers Mining Services, added: “ThoroughTec’s ability to customise to our needs and schedule is just the kind of customer-centric partner we are looking for to ensure continued adaptability to our business dynamics.”
ThoroughTec will also develop customised CYBERMINE ‘own mine worlds’ to replicate the operating conditions of the mine in the simulators, increasing the effectiveness of the training experience. Student operators of each of the equipment variants will therefore be familiar with Curragh’s mining environment before entering the mine.
Mark Walker, ThoroughTec Simulation’s executive director of mining and construction, commented: “We are very pleased to have earned Wesfarmers trust in this important evolution of their operator training abilities. Their leadership and commitment to enhancing operator competency and safety is something we greatly admire. We are confident that CYBERMINE4 will be a powerful tool towards enabling this ambition.”