Technical inspection of a 220-ton haul truck; driving and maneuvering; loading and unloading into a crusher; dumping to a spoil heap; braking—these and other operations are practiced by students of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University as part of the additional professional competency (APC) “Cat Open-Pit Haul Truck Operator.” The training, however, takes place not at a mine, but in a classroom of the Competence Center for Mining Haulage Systems, equipped with Caterpillar heavy-equipment simulator trainers. The simulators fully replicate the operator workstations of an open-pit haul truck, a bulldozer, and a load–haul–dump (LHD) machine. They feature instrument panels and monitoring elements—and, most importantly, the sensation of controlling a massive machine whose dimensions are comparable to a two-story house.
As is well known, in 2022, the American company Caterpillar left Russia, and the software used by the center opened at the Mining University six years ago has therefore not been updated. This means that equipment updates are not taking place at present. However, the simulators already available are sufficient to acquire fundamental knowledge.
- Open-pit mining technology does not change in principle—preparing rock for excavation, excavation-and-loading operations, and haulage, which in most cases is carried out using open-pit haul trucks. Accordingly, the knowledge acquired will remain useful and will not become obsolete over time. Yes, the equipment may change, but the core operational procedures—approaching the excavator, driving within the pit, and complying with safety regulations—remain the same, - said Ivan Zvonarev, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The software is also regularly updated; a new version was released just six months ago.
Open-pit haul trucks are used in all types of surface mining: the extraction of gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Marble and granite quarries operate in the Leningrad Region. Service organizations that maintain and repair such equipment are widespread. Given that students will undertake industrial internships at such sites, the skills they acquire will certainly be useful.
The training program is designed for 36 hours and includes 11 exercises focused on practicing specific operational procedures. It begins with a visual inspection for chips, broken mirrors, leaks of technical fluids, and other defects. Next comes familiarization with the control panel: trainees must know every element so that, while driving, they can focus solely on the driving process and on complying with safety requirements.
After that, the trainee is allowed to drive through the quarry with a multi-ton load, practice various types of unloading (from a bench, into a crusher), and perform braking maneuvers. The most challenging task is completing the full technological cycle, which includes all operations and takes 20–25 minutes. The most engaging part is free driving: students can “run” the truck around the pit, exploring the terrain and practicing maneuvers. At the end, the system assigns a grade and generates a report detailing any errors.
- One of our sessions was devoted to diagnostics. In total, we examined 147 components and had to determine whether each one was operational or not. This helped us structure the information we had received. I also remember a lecture explaining the logistics and delivery of these haul trucks to Russia. That was quite interesting as well, because it is a very complex process requiring careful attention to detail and precise calculations, –shared Denis Dubrovyn, a second-year student of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Technologies, Equipment, and Automation of Mechanical Engineering Production».
Upon completion of the training program, students undergo testing and perform one of the exercises as a final assessment.
The training is undertaken not only by students of specialized departments studying surface mining, machinery, and equipment, but also by students from related fields.
- We invite students specializing in underground mining, as well as those studying Engineering of Technological Equipment and Technologies, Equipment, and Automation of Mechanical Engineering Production. They also need to understand the conditions under which these machines operate and the loads they experience. There is also the field of equipment design, where engineers develop individual assemblies, components, and parts. So for many students, in one way or another, completing this APC will be valuable, - clarified Ivan Zvonarev.
Denis Dubrovyn plans to become a design engineer or process engineer in the future. The APC has helped him understand the operating principles of such machinery and broadened his professional horizons.
- My field is quite broad: it covers automotive engineering as well as an understanding of how engines, gearboxes, reducers, and other mechanical systems operate. In this APC course, we are not only practicing driving, but also studying the full operational cycle, the design of engines, hydraulic systems, and so on. Personally, I found it extremely useful.
- It was an interesting experience. I already have a driver’s license, so completing the tasks was a bit easier for me, since the simulator also uses an automatic transmission. But of course, to operate a real open-pit haul truck, you first need to obtain a Category C license, then undergo several additional weeks of training, and only after that receive authorization to operate these machines. In any case, I have gained a better understanding of how a machine of this class is designed—what can and cannot be done, and the specifics of its operation. This will definitely be useful, because there is a lot of Caterpillar equipment in Russia, and there is a very good chance I will have to work with it, - added Andrey Sharonov.
In total, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University offers 425 additional professional competency programs and 61 vocational qualifications. They cover both engineering/technical and digital competencies and reflect the integration of digital solutions into traditional industries. Over the course of their studies, students complete at least eight additional professional competencies and obtain at least two vocational qualifications. This enables students not only to acquire fundamental knowledge in their primary field of study but also to become in-demand professionals with a broad range of applied skills.
В Санкт-Петербургском горном университете запустили новую программу профессиональной подготовки «Оператор трехмерной печати». Она предусматривает 72 часа теории и практики, за это время студенты осваивают рабочую специальность оператора 3D принтеров.
