The new centre located in Woonona, a northern suburb of Wollongong, was opened yesterday by NSW Minerals Council chairman Colin Bloomfield.

Coal Services executive director Ron Land said the new centre would take mines rescue training into the future.

“The key benefits of this virtual reality training system is that it provides accurate, realistic and virtual mine simulations in a safe, controlled environment,” Land said.

“Workers can achieve a high level of competence before they enter the real world environment.”

The mine simulator is a panoramic, cinematic system using 12 video projectors, six computers and a 120 square metre circular screen which surrounds its audience.

The Woonona mines rescue centre relocated from Russell Vale, where it had been located for more than 80 years.

The new coal complex also hosts Coal Services Health, which provides medical, rehabilitation and injury prevention services to the mining industry, and Coal Mine Insurance which provides workers compensation for the coal industry.

Coal Services is a 50% joint venture between the NSW Minerals Council and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

It is a service provider to the NSW coal mining industry for health, safety and mines rescue.

The Mines Rescue division comprises four rescue stations in NSW located in the Newcastle, Wollongong, Lithgow and Singleton coal fields.