Drummond said the unit, bound for its Mina Pribbenow operations in Columbia, would boost the operation's productivity and safety record though increased operator training.

Immersive Technologies North and South American vice president Skip Sullivan said the company's simulators were now in use throughout 14 countries.

"Immersive Technologies is proud to provide our world leading simulator training technology to Drummond and we look forward to developing a strong ongoing relationship," he said.

Immersive’s mining industry simulators were originally adapted from models for the aviation industry.

Immersive's mining simulators cost upwards of $450,000, but there is huge potential for training applications, with the chambers putting operators behind the wheel of computer-simulated large-scale equipment and teaching new operators how to control a vehicle, improve safety levels and correct operator habits.