Prime Highlights:
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has developed a VR mine to enhance mining education, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a simulated mining environment.
The program enables students to perform tasks like surveys and equipment operation, using real data and coordinates to simulate actual mining conditions.
Key Background:
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has introduced an innovative virtual reality (VR) mine, designed to enhance mining education and provide valuable hands-on learning experiences for students. The initiative, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, offers students a simulated mining environment that closely mirrors real-world scenarios. The VR program allows students to perform tasks such as conducting surveys, operating mining equipment, and gathering real-time data without leaving the classroom.
Danielle Faris, the academic chair for Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Faculty of Technology and Skilled Trades, explained that the VR experience enables students to execute the entire mining process, from start to finish. The tool allows for the setup of a total station underground, enabling students to gather actual coordinates and work with real data, which they can later use in their academic projects.
Second-year student Graciela Tenoro highlighted the realism of the VR environment, noting that the experience was “very shocking” and comparable to actual mining scenarios. Students like Tenoro benefit from the ability to practice and learn in a controlled setting, eliminating the need to be physically present in a mine. This approach provides accessibility and convenience, as it reduces the logistical challenges of fieldwork while still offering a comprehensive learning experience.
The program has been developed in response to Saskatchewan’s growing mining industry, which faces a workforce shortage. Faris emphasized that the initiative aims to equip students with the skills necessary to meet the demand for skilled mining professionals. With Saskatchewan’s mining sector on the rise, the VR program ensures that students are well-prepared for the industry.
The development of the VR program, which cost $102,000, was funded by a grant from the International Minerals Innovation Institute. Utilizing Meta headsets valued at approximately $600 each, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is well-equipped to offer this cutting-edge technology to its students, helping them gain critical experience in a safe and immersive learning environment.
