Training Simulators

for the
Mining Industry

PHOTO OVERVIEW

Fifth Dimension Technologies

www.5DT.com
1.0 Introduction
5DT (Fifth Dimension Technologies) is a high technology company specializing
in Virtual Reality. 5DT develops, produces and distributes Virtual Reality
hardware, software and systems. 5DT's primary focus is Virtual Reality Training
Simulators.

For more info about 5DT, consult our Company CD-ROM, 'The Fifth
Dimension', or visit our website at: www.5DT.com

This Photo Overview provides a snapshot of 5DT's Training Simulators for the
Mining Industry.

For more info about 5DT's Mining-related activities, consult our Mining CD-
ROM, 'Training Simulators for the Mining Industry', or visit our website at:
www.5DT.com

5DT currently offer the following Training Simulators for the Mining Industry:

Surface Mining
- Haul Truck Training Simulator
- Shovel/Excavator Training Simulator
- Wheeled Loader Training Simulator
- Dragline Training Simulator

Underground Mining
- Continuous Miner Training Simulator
- Long Wall Training Simulator
- Roof Bolter Training Simulator

The following systems are currently under development at 5DT:

- Sequential Coal Mining Visualizer and Management Game
- Driving Simulator (for cars and highway trucks)
- Forklift Training Simulator

5DT may develop custom Training Solutions to satisfy your training

requirements. Apart from our State-of-the-Art Simulator Technology, we also
have a strong Computer Based Training (CBT) development capability. We
also have a full development capability for Multimedia Productions like training
videos, training manuals and interactive animations.

We trust that you will enjoy this photo overview and the CD-ROMs. Please do
not hesitate to contact us if you need more information.
2.0 Applications of Training Simulators
2.1 Training of new operators
A Training Simulator allows an instructor to train new operators in a
controlled and safe environment. The operation skills of a trainee are
developed systematically. The trainee may be exposed to very complex
and/or life-threatening scenarios without risk of injury or risk of damage to
equipment.

2.2 Evaluation and re-training of existing operators

A Training Simulator is ideal for the evaluation of qualified operators, since
all actions performed by the operator may be recorded with the simulator.
The skills and performance of an operator may be analyzed in detail, and
re-training or corrective training may be applied to those areas where the
operator exhibited sub-optimal skills and performance. A supervisor in an
operational mine may find that a specific operator does not perform
optimally. The supervisor may then schedule corrective simulator training
for this operator.

2.3 Screening of New Employees

New Machine Operator Applicants may be screened with the Training
Simulator to determine whether they are optimally suited for the task. This
ensures that unsuitable persons are not trained at a high cost. It also gives
new applicants a much better idea of what the real job will be like, before
they make key decisions about their careers.

2.4 Research and Development

A Training Simulator may be used to try new procedures in virtual reality
first, before validating these procedures in reality. A Training Simulator is
an ideal tool for the development and implementation of best practices.

2.5 Familiarization and Induction tool

It is often the case that a large portion of the personnel at a mine has not
experienced any time underground or in the surface mine (pit) itself. This
often leads to unsatisfactory understanding of the relevant mining process,
which, in turn, leads to sub-optimal management and administration. A
Training Simulator is ideal to expose administrators and managers to the
cutting edge of their industry.

2.6 Marketing and PR

A Training Simulator could be used to show visitors what it is like to work
in a real mine, without exposing them to the real environment. This is ideal
for open days.
3.0 Benefits of Training Simulators
3.1 Increased safety awareness
With a Training Simulator trainee operators are able to experience the
results of their actions. The Training Simulator continuously evaluates the
safety awareness of operators.

3.2 Reduced loss of production during training

With a Training Simulator it is not necessary to interrupt production to do
basic skills training. It will also not be necessary to “borrow” machines
from production for the purpose of basic training. The basic skills are
taught in a very realistic virtual environment under controlled conditions.

It is important to note that 5DT (Fifth Dimension Technologies) does not

propose that Virtual Reality [VR] training replaces reality-based training in
totality:

"Virtual Reality is not intended to replace reality-based training. It is a

powerful medium intended to supplement and enhance reality-based
training."

3.3 Shorter operator training periods

The 5DT Training Simulators have been designed to minimize the training
cycle whilst maintaining a very high standard in terms of skills
development and safety awareness. A pre-simulation module teaches the
user how to optimally use the controls of the relevant machine. The trainee
operator is then exposed to several training scenarios, ranging from
elementary scenarios to very complicated scenarios. The simulator system
continuously evaluates the trainee, and weak spots may be identified very
quickly.

"With the 5DT Training Simulators, the focus is on Smarter

Production, not simply Increased Production."

3.4 Enhanced operator skills development

With a Training Simulator, operators may be exposed to a wide variety of
conditions and environments, some which are life threatening. The trainee
is therefore prepared for much more than the average/normal.

The ability of a Training Simulator to exactly measure what a trainee is

doing right or wrong, leads to enhanced skills development.
3.5 Improved application of best practices
A Training Simulator enables a mining group to evaluate and optimize
their best practices. Once these have been established, the same Training
Simulator may be used to implement these best practices in the workforce.

3.6 Increase in production per machine

The production per machine may be increased significantly with a Training
Simulator.

3.7 Reduced machine damage and wear and tear

The Training Simulator helps the operator to understand the relevant
machine better. Increased operation skills generally lead to less damage
to the machine. Increased operation skills also lead to less wear and tear
on the machine.

3.8 Increased motivation

The combination of increased safety awareness, increased production,
smarter production and reduced machine damage normally leads to a
highly motivated employee.
4.0 Why 5DT?
There are several reasons why 5DT is ideally suited to supply or develop a
Training Simulator for your mine or institution. The main reasons are:

4.1 5DT's primary focus is Training Simulators

5DT has already developed several state-of-the-art training simulators. For
more detail about other simulators developed by 5DT, please visit our web
site at:
www.5DT.com

4.2 5DT has a well established Mining Knowledge Base

5DT developers have spent a lot of time underground and in surface
mines, interacting with real operators and real machines. We understand
the terminology and the different mining processes. When you deal with
5DT you won’t have to spend days to explain how a specific process or
machine works.

4.3 5DT has already developed Training Simulators for the Mining
Industry
5DT has extensive experience with training simulators for the mining
industry.

5DT developed the following Training Simulators and Technology

Demonstrators:
Surface Mining
- Haul Truck Training Simulator
- Shovel Training Simulator
- Wheeled Loader Training Simulator
- Dragline Training Simulator
Underground Mining
- Continuous Miner Training Simulator
- Long Wall Training Simulator
- Roof Bolter Training Simulator

4.4 5DT has a simulator networking capability

5DT is capable of networking their training simulators, e.g. a haul truck
simulator may be networked with a shovel (or loader) simulator. This
facilitates team training where a haul truck driver and a shovel operator
works together to get a haul truck loaded.

4.5 5DT has the necessary hardware technology

 5DT has developed a motion base for high performance simulations. 5DT
also has extensive experience in instrumenting real controls (e.g. steering
wheels, instruments or control levers) in order to interface with a
simulation computer.

4.6 5DT has a Software Development Kit (5DT-SDK)

The 5DT-SDK is a library of C++ functions and simulator components. The
SDK is fully documented and has been tested extensively. 5DT can
therefore develop and configure training simulator applications very
rapidly.

4.7 5DT offers the Best Graphics in the Industry

Our virtual mines and virtual machines look extremely real and provides
for a very realistic training experience.

4.8 5DT supports their simulators

We are in this industry for the long run. We support our simulators. Some
of our simulators have been in operation for more than 5 years, with more
than 400 operators benefiting from it to date.

4.9 5DT has a Computer Based Training (CBT) Capability

Apart from our State-of-the-Art Simulator Technology, we also have a
strong Computer Based Training (CBT) development capability. We also
have a full development capability for Multimedia Productions like training
videos, training manuals and interactive animations.

5DT has the technology, the will and the resources to make a huge success
of your project.
5.0 Conclusion
"If a picture says more than a thousand words, a virtual reality experience
says more than a million".

Virtual Reality is a technology that needs to be experienced. We would therefore

like to invite you to come and try it for yourself.

You may either visit our booth at a tradeshow, or you may visit one of our
facilities. We would like to demonstrate our state-of-the-art training simulators to
you, and discuss your unique training requirements with you.

Please do not hesitate to contact us!

Contact Information:

California, USA
(Serves US and Americas)
15375 Barranca Pkwy, G-103
Irvine, CA 92618
United States of America
Tel: +1 949 450 9044
Fax: +1 949 450 9045
Web: www.5dt.com
E-mail: [email protected]

Pretoria, South Africa

(Serves Rest of World)
25 De Havilland Crescent, P.O. Box 5
Persequor Park, 0020
South Africa
Tel: +27 12 349 2690
Fax: +27 12 349 1404
Web: www.5dt.com
E-mail: [email protected]
 Haul Truck Training Simulator

Haul Truck Training Simulator Setup Close-up of Truck Controls

Motion Base Virtual Surface Mine

Queuing at the Loading Area Loading of a Haul Truck

Dumping at the Crusher Driving at Night

Decreased Visibility Dust

Engine Fire Instructor Screen: Top-Down View

 Shovel/Excavator Training Simulator

Loading a Truck: Cabin View Rope Shovel: Outside View

Shovel Controls Instructor Screen: Top-Down View

Wheeled Loader Training Simulator

Dragline Training Simulator

 Continuous Miner Training Simulator

The Cutting Cycle Cutting into the Roof

Simulator Setup Overfilling the Shuttle Car

 Long Wall Training Simulator

Long Wall Controls Water Sprayers

Simulator Setup Advancing Roof Supports