Simulation-based equipment-operator training will now be part of workforce development in Saudi Arabia, according to simulator developer Immersive Technologies, following placement of the largest mining simulator order in the company’s history by Ma’aden, the largest mining company in Saudi Arabia. Ma’aden will use Immersive’s simulators to address one of the biggest challenges faced by the country—developing a skilled workforce to support the expansion of mining.
The order from Ma’aden includes mining equipment simulators designed for surface and underground hard rock mining.
A joint effort involving Immersive Technologies, Ma’aden and Missouri S&T will enable hundreds of mining operators to be trained annually at Saudi Arabia’s first specialist training institute for the mining industry, according to Perth, Australia-based Immersive.
Missouri S&T, a long-time customer of Immersive Technologies, signed an agreement with Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP), originally established by Ma’aden, and the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of Saudi Arabia, to provide mining training programs. Missouri S&T will utilize Immersive Technologies’ simulators in their training programs.
The order includes seven Advanced Equipment Simulators and 18 simulator modules (Conversion Kits) for both surface and underground mining.
“Ma’aden has a solid reputation for investing in the best technology and we are honored to be part of their workforce development solution,” said Peter Salfinger, CEO of Immersive Technologies.
“Our simulators will support Ma’aden and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in training their young people to further develop mining as a solid pillar of the Saudi economy.
“The Saudi Mining Polytechnic will build a foundational workforce for Saudi Arabia to become a sought after place for global miners to invest and for Ma’aden to become even more prominent on mining’s global landscape,” said Salfinger.
