Under the scope of the collaboration Thoroughtec will be given access to Hitachi's confidential technical information and operational and engineering expertise to shape and improve the design, development and testing of forthcoming equipment simulators.

Thoroughtec Simulation vice-president David Cooke said the deal guaranteed customers would get the most realistic and effective simulators possible, to drive safety, productivity and cost-reducing improvements across their mining fleet.

He said the company was honoured to support Hitachi's commitment to operator safety and performance with its unique range of training solutions.

Cooke said Thoroughtec had deployed more than 500 specially designed advanced, hi-fidelity training simulators to miners around the world.