CASPEO, an Orleans, France-based global provider of process simulation software and consulting services to metals, minerals and mining industries, recently introduced an e-learning platform intended to enhance knowledge of mining workers in data analysis techniques.
The platform launch, according to CASPEO, is in recognition that the mining industry faces challenges ranging from lower grades and more complex deposits to market demand variations. In this ever-changing environment, companies are pushed to experiment with new operational strategies without impacting production. Process modelling and simulation, according to CASPEO, constitute the most powerful methods to design, scale-up and upgrade processing plants. These require analysis tools to estimate different configurations and skilled people with a general overview of processes across the entire value chain, from ores to metal.
Because the industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage due to a wave of retirement and a declining number of mining engineering school graduates, it’s been limited in the adoption and the development of new technologies, noted CASPEO. To address these labor market challenges in its field of expertise, the company aims to facilitate data-analysis training by providing an e-learning platform that offers self-paced online courses on a range of topics including process design, process optimization and metal accounting, and goes beyond a simple online experience by providing hands-on training courses.
CASPEO’s initial on-demand course presents a path through two case studies to instruct users on how to use modelling and simulation approaches for designing and optimizing mineral processes. Through video lessons and quizzes, trainees are invited to design a grinding and classification circuit, then work on the optimization of a grinding and flotation circuit.
“The course allows the trainees to work on real-world scenarios and to have the opportunity to use USIM PAC, the most well-known mineral processing simulation software. A 60-day education license is provided with the course,” said Stéphane Brochot, CASPEO’s co-managing director.
The goal, according to the company, is to make it easier for workers to improve competency through self-regulated learning by providing students practical experience in skills, engineering graduates a means to enhance their employability, and professionals to advance their career. For companies, it is a way to train a large workforce at less cost, facilitate the integration of new engineers, secure a project launch and enhance individual commitment.
“Attending a course in person can be a barrier to participation. Our platform will give mineral professionals around the world the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of process modelling and simulation and to complete courses wherever they are, at their own pace and in an easily digestible format. Our self-paced online courses are delivered through a true e-learning platform that can be accessed on any device with an internet connection,” added co-managing director, Marie-Véronique Durance.
CASPEO also said a team is now working on another on-demand training course focused on metallurgical accounting that will provide a clear understanding of what it is and explore the main steps for implementing an accounting system.
