Kinross Fort Knox receives mining Business Improvement Award

April 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Chosen from Immersive Technologies' global customer base, Kinross Fort Knox has demonstrated significant advancement in its training program across areas such as measurement, interdepartmental communication, and the adoption of best practice simulation techniques, all of which has served to improve the site's ability to measure the effect of its training on overall profitability.

In its third year, Immersive Technologies' Business Improvement Award recognises the achievements of mine sites focused on improving operational safety, efficiency and productivity achieved through adult learning and training best practices. In 2010, Peabody Energy's Caballo Mine was awarded for their integrated approach to simulator based equipment training.

The 2011 award was presented to Fort Knox Mine Operations Superintendent, Eric Hill by Immersive Technologies Vice President North America, Cory Cook.

Hill said, "Fort Knox is pleased to receive this award. The teams both from our site and from Immersive have done an excellent job in developing a strong program. We look forward to sustaining these results going forward for many years to come."

Cook continued, "We are thrilled Kinross has earned this year's award. Their commitment and enthusiasm to continually improve the safety and efficiency of their equipment operator's skill sets is second to none and exemplifies the positive change and focus on training program development that we are seeing from our customers globally."

"Utilizing Immersive Technologies' advanced simulators and training integration programs, mines have a proven method to measure the positive effect of their training programs on the wider site operations."

Fort Knox is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation. The mine moves more than 175,000 tons of ore per day, and produces approximately 300,000 troy ounces of gold annually. Fort Knox has produced more than 5 million ounces of gold since starting commercial production in 1997.

# # #

Immersive Technologies is the world's largest and most proven supplier of surface and underground mining equipment simulators to the global mining industry.

The company has achieved this unique position by focusing on its mission to make every mining and earthmoving equipment operator in the world safer and their employer more profitable through its simulation technologies. Immersive Technologies’ Advanced Equipment Simulators are helping hundreds of mining companies around the world to increase their equipment operators' safety and site profitability through effective simulation training.

Immersive Technologies' provides its customers with the most effective mining equipment simulators available. This is made possible through the formal exclusive licensing and technical information alliances Immersive has established with the leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), including: Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu, Liebherr and P&H MinePro.