Merging Simulation and Realityin Mining

Kelly MorstadManaging Principal

Business Strategy and Development3D Interactive Inc.

Operational Objectives of Mining

1. Price takers2. Extract more ore for the lowest possible

unit cost3. Do it safely

The Challenges of Mining

1. Worker safety2. Massive capital investments3. Diverse locations in remote areas4. Environmental considerations5. Geopolitical

Effective deployment of human capitalis a critical leverage point

Training Challenges

Measuring outcomes Scheduling Access to the mine Environmental variability Field level risks $$$

The Simulation Solution

The Evolution of Simulation

Conventional in-cab perspective – Advanced Simulatorso Strengths

• Proven effective outcomes• Positive ROI

o Weaknesses• $500K to $25M• Not portable• Weak simulation characteristics

cont…The Evolution of Simulation

Simulation Stationso Strengths

• Proven outcomes• Some field level variability• $25K to $100K

o Weaknesses• Weak simulation characteristics

cont…The Evolution of Simulation