Immersive said the simulators were expected to be commissioned onsite at the end of May.

“The training simulators will support the Caterpillar 793D haul truck, Caterpillar 992G wheel loader and Hitachi EX5500 shovel/excavator,” the company said.

“Immersive Technologies is also supplying a Custom Mine Site, which accurately replicates the Moatize mine to enhance the realism and value of the training.”

Immersive said Moatize would create about 900 direct mine jobs and Vale intended to identify, screen and train a world-class operator workforce before its mining fleet was onsite.

“The process will see the company screen about 1000 local people over the coming months with a view to training 125 vehicle drivers for next year's operational start-up.”

Through the simulators, a Vale spokesperson said the trainees would achieve good performance levels from the start of operations.

Moatize is Vale’s first greenfield project in Africa and has proven and probable reserves of 838 million tonnes.

To reach a target of 11 million tonnes per annum, comprising 8.5Mt of metallurgical coal and 2.5Mt of thermal coal, Vale said it would build one of the largest coal handling preparation plants in the world, with capacity to process 26Mtpa.