26.11.2013 / Metso's fully automated mobile crushing plant helps educate a new generation of mining talents
The Taivalkoski unit of Oulu Vocational College (OSAO) has invested in a fully automated, track-mounted Metso Lokotrack crushing plant. The plant will be used in education, and had been inaugurated in October 2013. OSAO is the first educational institution in Finland to provide a fully automated, mobile crushing plant for its students. "Metso's crushing plant is equipped with the industry's most modern automation. The delivery also includes Metso's crushing simulation tool Bruno to enable digital learning", says Kalevi Hirvonen, who managed the project at OSAO Taivalkoski.
The track-mounted Metso Lokotrack plant at Taivalkoski consists of an LT106 primary crushing unit, an LT200HP secondary crushing unit and an ST3.5 mobile screen. The plant is equipped with IC series process control, which is integrated into the . In addition to the equipment, Metso's delivery includes plant automation applications, data collection and reporting as well as a remote access to the educational institution. Operation and camera screens are installed in the excavator. The touch screen enables the excavator operator to control and monitor the process without visiting the machines, which increases both productivity and safety.
The brand new degree program in mining and quarrying began in August 2013 at Oulu Vocational College's Taivalkoski unit. The training emphasizes working methods, tools, and machinery management. The need for this training program arose some five years ago, as the effects of the mining boom in Finland really began to show. Even though the industry is currently witnessing a worldwide downturn, in a recent report the Geological Survey of Finland predicted strong growth in mining industry in Finland during the next decades. This would mean an increasing need for skilled workforce especially in Eastern and Northern Finland.
"We believe that because of its cutting edge design, this new teaching plant for crushing will not benefit our school alone, but also all other rock and mining industry training programs in Finland from vocational high schools to universities. We have also confidence in Metso's ability to make sure that our new crushing plant will remain as an excellent reference in crushing education well into the future", Kalevi Hirvonen predicts.
