The Taivalkoski unit of Oulu Vocational College (OSAO) in the Oulu region of north-east Finland has established a new training programme in mining and quarrying to serve the industry's growing need for skilled workforce
The unit has invested in a fully automated, track-mounted
OSAO is a multi-industry vocational college with 11,300 students.
"We are very pleased that it was Metso that won the bid for this contract. One key factor in the procurement decision was the provider's ability to offer a comprehensive educational solution. Metso's crushing plant is equipped with the industry's most modern automation. The delivery also includes Metso's crushing simulation tool Bruno to enable digital learning,” says Kalevi Hirvonen, who managed the project at OSAO Taivalkoski.
"Lokotrack has remained a forerunner in track-mounted crushing technology for almost 30 years. We are delighted that our future mining professionals are able to study crushing and screening with the most modern equipment in the field," emphasises Jouko Tolonen, area sales manager, Mining and Construction, Metso.
"By combining Metso's automation expertise with our advanced equipment and process know-how, we were able to meet the educational goals set by OSAO," says Pasi Airikka product manager, Automation, Metso.
The track-mounted Metso Lokotrack plant at Taivalkoski consists of an LT106 primary crushing unit, an LT200HP secondary crushing unit and an ST3.5 mobile screen, and the plant is equipped with IC series process control, which is integrated into the Metso DNA plant automation system.
In addition to the equipment, Metso's delivery includes plant automation applications, data collection and reporting as well as a remote access to the educational institution.
The new degree programme in mining and quarrying started this month (August) at the college, with the training emphasizing working methods, tools, and machinery management. The need for this training programme arose five years ago as the effects of the mining boom in Finland began to show.
Even though the industry is currently witnessing a worldwide downturn in a recent report the Geological Survey of Finland predicted strong growth in mining industry in Finland during the next decades, meaning an an increasing need for skilled workforce especially in eastern and northern Finland.
"We believe that because of its cutting edge design, this new teaching plant for crushing will not benefit our school alone, but also all other rock and mining industry training programmes in Finland from vocational high schools to universities. We have also confidence in Metso's ability to make sure that our new crushing plant will remain as an excellent reference in crushing education well into the future,” Kalevi Hirvonen predicts.
