Australia-headquartered global mining simulation technology solutions provider Immersive Technologies has been deemed fundamental in assisting Portuguese mining and construction firm Mota-Engil to fulfil its commitment to implement development programmes to upskill Gamsberg Black Mountain Project’s local community.
Mota-Engil has partnered with Immersive Technologies at its Gamsberg Black Mountain project in the Northern Cape for ongoing operator training.
Immersive Technologies was selected as the preferred partner based on proven results at its Moatize project in Mozambique and Mota-Engil’s ambition to lead the contractor’s market by investing in “world class” technology to drive productivity, efficiencies and safety.
The combination of advanced simulation technology and an on-site advisory team of the highest calibre has enabled training interventions to focus on the metrics that really matter, and which directly impact the bottom line, explains Mota-Engil Gamsberg Black Mountain Project contracts manager Goncalo Costa.
One of the most striking elements of working together, has been Immersive trainers’ commitment to impart best practice and share from their wealth of experience with Mota-Engil trainers and operators alike, says Costa.
A major focus for Mota-Engil on this project has been ensuring the selection, upskilling and empowerment of the local community, with the bulk of its operator workforce being drawn from the region.
The structured and ongoing training they receive through Mota-Engil, under the auspices of the Immersive Technologies programme, provides a deeper pool of talent to the mining sector – one that more broadly aligns to Mota-Engil’s ethos of sustainable mining initiatives.
Using an on-site IM360-B Simulator supported by an embedded Immersive Technologies Trainer, Mota-Engil have seen significant, measurable improvements across key metrics. Improvements include truck spotting and dumping times and lowered machine reliability events, while simultaneously ensuring full compliance by operators with emergency event responses.
The Mota-Engil training team, supported by Immersive Technologies, has been able to rapidly adapt curricula to the mine requirements and conditions while ensuring a targeted approach to each operator’s individual training needs.
CAT RDT 777E series trucks and Liebherr excavator backhoe 9250 and 996 are the primary equipment types on which ongoing operator training continues.
“Our drive for continuous improvement and operator performance excellence has, without doubt, been significantly augmented by working with Immersive Technologies,” Costa concludes.