We are excited to announce Kinross Bald Mountain has received the 2024 Global Business Improvement Award in Productivity from Immersive Technologies – the world’s largest supplier of mining equipment simulators designed to improve safety, productivity, reactive maintenance and build skilled personnel.
The Immersive Technologies award acknowledges the most outstanding results achieved by mining companies who use simulation as a key driver in mining operations and workforce development optimization. The winners are selected amongst Immersive Technologies’ clients from over 54 countries for their achievements in improving mining workforce safety, productivity, machine reliability and sustainability through strategic workforce development-based initiatives.
Kinross Bald Mountain received the award for their successful launch of a new shovel improvement project which resulted in an increase in earnings of over US$3 million in 90 days at 75% production and US$1.6 million in the last month. Here are a few examples of the efficiencies and improvements discovered during the simulation program that drove down costs and increased productivity and safety performance:
- A 14.17% reduction in load times by working closely with a trainer to identify challenging points in loading and receive strategic coaching on areas for improvement. Operators then brought their learnings to the simulator to practice maximizing load times in a low-stress environment before heading back into the field
- Increasing bucket payloads by 12.22% and reducing bucket counts by ~15% training operators on strategic digging and filling techniques
- Achieving a 92% pass rate on safety events by simulating emergency situations and training operators on how to safely shut down and exit equipment to prevent injuries or fatalities
“The Shovel Improvement Project was a great success due to the tools and mindset that went into rolling it out. The simulator is an outstanding tool for training and evaluation, however it is how these lessons translate from the simulation and classroom into field application and coaching which is crucial,” said Shannon Atwood, Operations Mine Training Supervisor, Bald Mountain. “Having the leadership and training team be as supportive as they were helped generate the operator buy-in and enthusiasm that helped this project succeed. When all the parts come together correctly, it becomes a smooth machine providing sustained results.”
Efficiencies discovered at Bald Mountain have been beneficial to Kinross’ global operations as well, with a rollout of more CI projects with Immersive Technologies expected at our Fort Knox, Paracatu and Tasiast sites.
An employee uses the shovel simulator at Bald Mountain
Employees discuss the results of their simulation to find efficiencies
The Immersive Technologies simulation room at Bald Mountain