MINING COMPANIES EMBRACE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING

By A. Enkhbayar, Lecturer, Doctor, Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia

Rapid developments in science and technology have created new opportunities to improve Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training in the mining sector. Today, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is unfolding worldwide, with advanced solutions such as artificial intelligence, internet technologies, 3D printing, biotechnology, and virtual technology being widely integrated into the mining industry.

Digital transformation, the key shift of this new industrial era, relies on more than ten emerging technologies. While it is challenging to develop all of them simultaneously, our goal is to provide unified information on virtual technologies such as the metaverse and virtual reality, and share this knowledge with the public. One such example is the use of virtual technology to enhance the effectiveness of OHS training.

Virtual reality (VR) technology simulates real-world environments, allowing users to feel physically present in a digital world. This improves the quality of training by providing a realistic setting for testing safety practices. Research shows that people remember 10% of what they read, 50% of what they see and hear, and 80% of what they experience, making VR one of the most effective training solutions.

According to a British report "The Immersive Economy in the UK 2019", VR-based training takes 40% less time than traditional methods and improves both training quality and employee performance by 70%. These findings demonstrate that VR technology not only makes OHS training more effective and realistic but also more efficient.

One of the leading companies developing virtual technology in Mongolia is Digital Solutions. Established in 2019 as a startup at the National University of Mongolia, the company specializes in advanced technologies such as VR, MR, and the metaverse, offering innovative solutions across fields like history. culture, education, and training.

The company's mission is to provide innovative technological and business solutions to help individuals and organizations use time more effectively, reduce challenges, and minimize daily financial and operational costs.

In particular, Digital Solutions has developed a new version of a multi-user training simulator for mining safety based on VR technology Over the past four years, the company has continuously improved the software, hardware, and electronic control systems of this simulator. During this period, they have collaborated with mining and supply companies such as Baganuur JSC, Sharyn Gol JSC, and Monnis Service Support LLC.

For the past five years, Digital Solutions has also been developing VR content specifically tailored for OHS training. Some of the VR training programs developed for major mining companies like Oyu Tolgoi LLC and Erdenet Mining Corporation include:

• Fire safety training
• Underground portable and public shelter training
• Heavy mining machinery signalman training
• Training on detecting hazardous conditions in industrial environments

These VR training programs have proven to be highly effective in teaching safety procedures and include post-training testing to assess employees' safety knowledge. This enhances the quality of training, reduces costs, and helps prevent accidents and injuries.

All VR training content is interactive, providing users with a realistic experience that simulates real- world environments.

For example, the fire safety training content developed for Oyu Tolgoi includes four sections: office environment, workplace, heavy machinery, and fire extinguisher use.

To illustrate further, here is an example of fire safety training in an office environment. At the start of the training, the user is seated at a desk in the Oyu Tolgoi office building. A woman uses an electrical outlet, causing an electrical shock and triggering a fire. The user is then presented with two choices for correct or wrong actions. If the user makes the wrong choice (such as immediately disconnecting the power or spraying water on the fire), the fire will spread, creating additional risks. However, by taking the right course of action (activating the alarm and using the correct methods to extinguish the fire), the training scenario can be successfully completed.

Each training module is based on recommendations from OHS experts and improves learning outcomes through interactive decision-making.

Mining companies are increasingly adopting advanced technologies, especially VR-based training, to improve workers' knowledge and skills while reducing the risk of industrial accidents. The VR training content developed by Digital Solutions is paving the way for a new era of technology-based training in Mongolia, making a real contribution to enhancing safety standards in the mining industry.

As we transition from an industrialized society to an information-based society, jobs and services driven by digital technology are expanding rapidly. Although Mongolia faces a shortage of skilled personnel in the information technology sector compared to other countries, it is crucial that we keep pace with global developments and avoid falling behind.