Master of Science

Thesis (M. E.)--University of New South Wales, 2005. / Also available online.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 2017 / In the mining industry, communications systems are important for ensuring personnel safety and optimizing the mining processes underground. Achieving robust and reliable through-the-air (TTA) communication systems has always been a challenge in the underground mining environment due to harsh and dynamic conditions. TTA requires radio channel characterization for efficient designing and deploying of the communications systems. The literature covers the statistical radio propagation of a room and pillar coal mine, a longwall coal mine, CANMET Gold mine, Camborne School of Mines hard rock mine tunnel, MUZ Coal mine, an iron-ore mine and a lead-zinc mine with linearly polarized antennas at different frequencies. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / MT 2017

This study investigates the research on current self escape practices, the need for training on emergency evacuation procedures and the use of virtual reality simulations for the purposes of training. Thus, this project focuses on the advantages of using virtual reality as an educational tool and follows the development and design aspects of the tool. It includes each phase in development of the tool, including current research on self escape practices, training needs analyses and the actual design phases of the simulation. The design phase focuses on the objects and animations required to be implemented in order to create a realistic virtual mine. The programming logic of the simulation tool is also examined. Moreover, the final simulation is evaluated and proved to be an appropriate form of assessment and efficient learning environment for the trainee. Furthermore, recommendations are made for future developments.