Immersive Technologies Mining Simulators
Download a PDF version of this article
Phelps Dodge Mining Company, one of the world's leading producers of copper and molybdenum has ordered four Series II Advanced Equipment (AE) Simulators from Immersive Technologies under a strategic partnering relationship entered into by both companies earlier this year. Phelps Dodge partnered with Immersive Technologies based on their clear leadership in mining equipment simulation including expertise in simulator software and hardware design, experience in successful implementation in the field and a strong product support record.
The AE Simulators will be used to train new operators and re-train experienced operators at Morenci, the largest copper mine in North America, Sierrita and Bagdad copper mines in Arizona, Chino and Tyrone copper mines in new Mexico, and Candelaria copper mine in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile.
"The estimated savings from reduced reactive maintenance, through the use of this technology, was enough alone to justify the purchase. Phelps Dodge looks forward to working together with Immersive Technologies in this partnership" Jim Amburst, Business Improvement Manager at Phelps Dodge USA. "Our investment in this technology is expected to provide a significant enhancement to our zero and beyond safety efforts, as well as generating significant cost savings from maintenance and productivity improvements."
"Phelps Dodge is indicative of our large mining customers who estimate the return on investment of our AE Simulators in months rather than years and have therefore easily justified the purchase of multiple units" said Skip Sullivan, Vice President of Immersive Technologies North & South America.
The acquisition of the AE Simulators aligns with Phelps Dodge´s tradition of applying state-of-the-art technology to the discovery and development of mineral deposits, and enhances the company's premier status in mining operational excellence and safety performance.
Advanced Equipment (AE) Simulators are now used by virtually all leading mining companies in 12 countries around the world to train, assess and re-train or re-accredit operators of earth moving equipment. These organizations typically apply the AE Simulators to decrease scheduled and unscheduled maintenance costs; increase safety and reduce corporate risk; increase productivity and asset utilization by reducing use of real equipment for training purposes.
