The deal, on behalf od Caterpillar Global Mining, presented the facility’s newest piece of training technology on September 26 at the mock mine property.

“This gift will help Missouri S&T continue to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations – from our students to all those who invest in us,” Missouri S&T chancellor Cheryl Schrader said.

“We are grateful to Caterpillar and Fabick Cat for this generous gift, which will give our students experience on the same equipment they will find in the field.”

Cat Global Mining eastern North America region manager Steve Berkebile said the OEM had a long relationship with the school, one of just a dozen or so remaining in the US with mining engineering programs.

“Many of our current employees have come from Missouri S&T, including our group president, Steve Wunning, who is responsible for the mining business at Cat,” he said.

“We hope to continue to work with the university to meet Cat’s long-term goals and to provide some great career opportunities for S&T graduates.”

Missouri S&T Robert H Quenon mining engineering chair Dr Samuel Frimpong said the machine would be used to excavate materials, dig trenches for drainage control and lay pipelines at the experimental mine.

“The hydraulic hammer attachment allows the machine to be used for breaking boulders and concrete structures,” he said, adding that its use would become critical in areas where explosives could not be used because of safety or environmental concerns.