RCOE NEWS EPISODE 1
Did you know that the Resources Centre of Excellence is open for bookings? Innovative projects are already underway!
The Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) is the Mackay region's research, development and training hub and gateway to global resources sector industries. The Centre provides first class facilities for all things related to resource development across industry sectors – with an underground mine simulated training and testing facility, emerging technology capabilities, quality training, research and conference facilities, and strong collaborations with universities, resource industry operators, OEMs and service industries. The facility really must be seen to be believed!
Innovative businesses have already taken advantage of the RCOE to conduct training and research >>
MyneSight Drone Mapping
MyneSight Innovative Training Solutions have been conducting drone mapping in RCOE’s underground training facility. Kevin Masterson, General Manager of MyneSight, described the drone and mapping software as two separate units.
“If you just think about the drone as the method of transportation, then you can actually have the mapping software unit mounted on a vehicle if necessary, or you can carry it like a like a torch.
Drone mapping is unbelievably accurate. It produces a 3D image at the end of its work. At RCOE, we were experimenting with the thermal imaging camera – we were looking for any spontaneous combustion, or any heating in the ribs. The other key thing we were experimenting with was the bolts - their support density is absolutely critical as they have to be exactly as per the plan signed off by the Mine Manager.
The bolts are designed by a geotechnical engineer and the hover map and drone technology has the ability to preload it with the support pattern. It can then travel at very high speeds and come back and give you a plan of which bolts are out of sequence and not according to the plan.”
QUT Virtual Reality Training System
QUT visited the Centre to research and design an industry-first virtual reality training facility to be implemented at RCOE, for use within all industries. Gavin Winter, head of the ViseR team at QUT, said that RCOE’s underground facility allows his team, who are software developers and creative designers, to get a real world look at what it’s like to be underground.
“Being at RCOE and walking around in the dark walkways and tunnel is something that will go back to our production studio, and they'll remember the experience and they’ll want their users and all the trainees to experience this. With technology over the last 18 months, we have been coming to the point where you can be wearing this equipment in situ and augmenting that environment.
We hope to look at cutting edge equipment and testing it in the field to demonstrate to the industry that you can buy this now and it will work in hostile environments that are hot and dusty. You don't know how these things interact with other equipment users are wearing, so that’s what we will look into and the methods and tools that will be all used to get there, will become part of the knowledge that the industry can leverage.”
RCOE Open Day
Would you like to check out RCOE and view all its world-class facilities? Join us on our Open Day – Thursday, November 26. Guided tours will be running every 30 minutes from 7am – 11am. RCOE is located at 65 Crichtons Road, Paget.