Immersive Virtual Reality Trains Miners for the Real World

It’s the end of a shift in an underground mine, and you’re midway through a safety checklist. Suddenly, smoke fills the cavern and emergency lights flash. Your co-workers yell, and chaos ensues. What do you do?

Before you panic, you remember that this is a practice scenario in an innovative, virtual world simulation helping participants prepare for the worst.

The Center for Mining Safety and Health Excellence at the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Utah, in collaboration with the Chile-based company Minverso, has developed the initial phase of a first-ever metaverse platform that includes a mining training program using virtual reality. This collaborative initiative blends cutting-edge technology with academic expertise for the benefits of both students and the mining industry.

“This mining metaverse is not just technological innovation,” says mining department chair Charles Kocsis. “It is, most importantly, a product of shared experience and dedication to providing students and the mining industry a holistic and immersive learning experience.”

The initial phase features a mine rescue simulation where workers handle a fire in an underground machine. Students at the department’s open house experienced the VR firsthand, navigating a virtual classroom and mine. Future plans include augmented reality for real-time interactions and remote equipment operation.

“VR technology promises not only to serve future mining companies that can customize the experience to their own sites, but also to serve as a recruitment tool for mining engineering programs,” says Minverso’s commercial director, Dallin Wood BS’07.

This platform bridges theory and practice, preparing students for industry challenges while prioritizing safety. Its appeal spans from high school students to senior professionals, showcasing its potential to revolutionize mining education and safety training worldwide.