In the heart of Canning Vale, a short 20-minute drive from the Perth CBD, is a training facility that is quietly reshaping the landscape of mining training in Western Australia.
ASX listed Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX - Westgold) training centre is redefining how new entrants to the mining world are prepared for the challenges of underground mining and processing plant environments.
As the dominant gold producer in WA’s Murchison region and with a workforce of approximately 1,350 people, Westgold invests heavily in training and upskilling. Having an in-house, purpose-built training facility focused on immersive experiences – where new recruits receive consistent, quality training – makes perfect sense.
Westgold believe that these new recruits need to wear the appropriate PPE, understand the implications of emergency protocols, and use equipment in a practical environment before they ever arrive in an underground mine or processing plant.
Westgold invited the team at Gold Industry Group to tour their unique facility, and to see firsthand how it is equipping new talent with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely on an active mine site.
A custom-made facility
As you step through the entrance of the Westgold Training Centre, you quickly see the dedication to practical, hands-on learning. The facility spans an expansive area, housing a carefully curated range of simulations and training modules – with equipment donated from the Westgold mines.
All new Westgold underground and processing employees (including contractors) are inducted at the centre. Those who already have operational experience, or those in management, might only spend a day here. However, inexperienced workers who are new to the industry will spend at least three days at the facility, learning about what to expect when they arrive at the mine site for the first time.
The heart of the facility is the underground mine simulation, that closely replicates the unique conditions miners face once they enter the portal. It’s dark, with underground sound effects, providing the impression of a real underground environment.
During the recruits’ visit to the mine simulation, they are exposed to the various services used in the mine, are provided with an appreciation of the various ground support methods, and even view a blast being detonated as this is projected against one of the screens inside the simulator.
Safety is key underground and during an emergency response scenario, trainees must don their self-rescuers and use their cap lamps to navigate smoke (generated artificially) and find their way to an emergency refuge chamber.
Once inside the 12-person refuge chamber, the new recruits acclimatise themselves to their situation. It’s an incredible learning moment and a great way to emphasise that safety of our people is a priority in everything they do. As the Training Coordinator, Andy McCullough succinctly states – “Safety starts here”.
Running through these scenarios ultimately ensures that when these recruits finally step onto a Westgold mine, they do so with increased confidence and knowledge, and ready to effectively identify and mitigate any risks and hazards.
Take a video tour through the facility
Why is this facility so crucial?
The traditional method of on-the-job training, while valuable, can fall short in adequately preparing workers for the dynamic and complex challenges they may encounter on-site.
The Westgold Training Centre is a response to this industry-wide need for a more comprehensive and proactive approach to training.
The significance of the facility is underscored by it being the only one of its kind in the mining industry. Westgold has invested heavily in creating a training environment tailored to building the skills of its workforce.
By providing a simulated environment that mirrors the mining operations, Westgold is fast-tracking the learning curve for new hires and improving the company’s employee retention rates.
Investing in employees is critical. By giving them the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, the company is building capability and defining the culture of the workforce of the future.
“One of our core values at Westgold is Choose Safety, and the Canning Vale Training Centre depicts that perfectly in terms of providing the right instruction, the right training and the right understanding,” said Matthew Pilbeam, Westgold’s General Manager Environment Health and Safety.
“This ensures all of the people who come and work with us are inducted, trained and understand what it is they need to do to embody the value of Choose Safety at Westgold.”
The future
Recognising its potential to revolutionise underground mining and processing training, Westgold regularly hosts recruitment and training professionals from other mining companies at the facility.
Allowing industry peers to tour and experience the training centre has resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback, and as word spreads, the industry at large is taking notice.
In the future, the aim is to extend this collaboration by welcoming new employees and inductees from external companies. Westgold's belief is that enhancing the skills and preparedness of the broader mining workforce ultimately benefits the industry and broader community at large.
Eddie Sheppard, Training Superintendent, encourages other gold mining companies to consider utilising the facility and send their new starters for training.
Over the next year, it will be fantastic to see Westgold’s vision come to life: A shared platform for knowledge exchange, reinforcing the notion that collaboration breeds excellence, and the industry as a whole stands to gain from the collective elevation of skills and standards.