Training and upskilling can be a major expense to mining companies, which are increased by the costs of implementing new processes and equipment. However, what if mining companies could train in an environment that mirrors the physical mine in a digital world?

This is where the metaverse hopes to intersect with the resource sector.

During a technical presentation at SME 2023, Dr Mary Poulton, chief executive at Desert Sabre, outlined some ways the metaverse can aid miners.

"What's the value for mining or any industrial operation with this?" she said. "It lets you better couple your processes with your people."

Poulton continued: "In mining, in particular, it may be the opportunity for a greater public understanding of what you're doing. You may not be able to bring the public into your mine in the physical world, but you can in the digital world."

Removing the barriers between the public and the mining company can reduce misinformation and support ESG initiatives.  

"[The public] can see what it's like, what your boundary conditions are, what your physical limitations are, they can actually see what the ecological impact [will be] what the community impact [will be]," she said.

Employing the metaverse can also support troubleshooting by providing a virtual space to test scenarios.

"It puts you in a more realistic problem-solving environment as well, things that might rarely occur can be precipitated in these environments, and you can start to play through them," said Poulton.

New equipment can be tested and compared using the metaverse, and maintenance issues can be simulated and addressed without causing damage to the million-dollar machinery.

So what do  we need technology-wise to achieve this in our lifetimes?" Poulton asked. "Interoperable interconnected digital worlds."

Poulton then offered an example of a training construction crew watchman in the metaverse signalling an oncoming train which is also being operated by a conductor in training. Although both people may work with different companies, they can interactively train in the metaverse. Additionally, on the train, there is a passenger who wants to test the route or the experience of train travel.

All three people are together in an "interoperable interconnected digital world" while being hundreds or even thousands of miles apart.

Although the tools are still in development, Poulton's Desert Sabre is advancing quickly.

We're pre-commercial; we're very close. I think by early fourth quarter, we'll be at the point where we're ready to sit down with interested parties and have a discussion," she said.