The Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) and HLS Hard-Line Solutions Inc. have entered into a partnership to offer remote mining equipment training at NORCAT’s Underground Training and Technology Testing Centre in Onaping Falls, just outside of Sudbury.
The program, designed in partnership with industry, will train participants in the remote operation of an LHD (Load/Haul/Dump) vehicle utilizing Hard-Line’s MUCKMASTER™ Radio Remote Control System. The Muckmaster™ Radio Remote Control System is designed and produced to achieve superior performance while being exposed to the harsh conditions of underground environments. Bi-directional controls allow not only the control of the machine, but a responsive touch that gives the operator the ultimate level of security and safety.
Hard-Line will also be utilizing NORCAT’s world-class Underground Training and Technology Testing Centre to test and validate new remote equipment packages. NORCAT is excited to provide the resources, talent and infrastructure to enable Hard-Line to effectively complete their technology testing and validation in an operating mine environment. Don Duval, NORCAT’s CEO, regards the partnership as a great example of the role NORCAT plays as a prominent regional innovation centre in the Ontario Network of Excellence.
“NORCAT’s partnership with Hard-Line demonstrates the innovation broker role NORCAT plays to help companies bring new and innovative technologies into the mining sector to solve real and complex problems,” Duval said in a news release. “Our partnership with Hard-Line is a natural fit as we are providing an opportunity for the mining community to learn and train on a new technology while concurrently supporting an innovative client to enhance its product development and testing by having accessible feedback in real time.”
“Hard-Line is very excited in regards to our partnership with NORCAT,” said Walter Siggelkow, Hard-Line president. “It provides us with the opportunity to have our technology at the forefront of mine training, while enabling us to utilize facilities that will further benefit our research and development of cutting edge products for the mining industry.”
