In the ever-evolving landscape of underground operations, Finnish company Normet leads in sprayed concrete equipment and field service. With decades of experience, Normet consistently pushes technology and training solutions in mining, tunnelling, and civil engineering projects.
In an interview with Harri Sonninen, Global Product Manager of New Technologies & Training Solutions at Normet, we gained valuable insights into the company's approach and vision, and its role in EFNARC.
Sonninen, a professional with 16 years of experience at Normet, oversees all training solutions globally and implements new technologies into customer operations, such as scanning devices and VR/XR technologies. Normet has offered technical and operator training since the production of sprayers started in the 1970s, "we've come a long way from yelling training instructions over the roar of compressors to embracing the latest VR technology in our training programs, which we greatly prefer." says Sonninen.
In recent decades, Normet evolved to offer an extensive portfolio of mining and tunnelling solutions, covering the process chain of their clients to “combine service and training agreements, along with data analytic packages and Battery electric Vehicles,” says Sonninen.
A lifelong relationship
Normet has been part of EFNARC for decades and developed nozzle operator certification schemes to meet industry standards and safety requirements worldwide, contributing to industry advancements.
Harri Sonninen
Global Product Manager of New Technologies & Training Solutions at Normet
Sonninen believes Normet’s involvement in developing a simulator training solution –with EFNARC– was a turning point. “We did have some sprayed concrete simulators more than 10 years ago, and meeting the standards around simulator training was a big question mark for us. When EFNARC started to develop this VR simulator training program, it was a valuable moment for Normet to step in and give our own expertise,” he says.
According to Sonninen, Normet's collaboration with EFNARC not only ensures they participate in defining the highest industry standards but also contributes to “the sustainable and safe development of the mining and tunnelling industry”.
VR as a game-changer
Sonninen highlighted Normet's commitment to innovation, bringing forward its virtual reality spraying training simulator, which provides diverse training environments and digital twins of its equipment and underground conditions.
"VR training allows us to leverage our global expertise, combining these forces and providing standardized training programs worldwide while offering valuable data insights and promoting sustainability and safety," said the Normet manager. “Our customers are saving money; we are making the projects more profitable by increasing people’s competence, reducing material waste, lowering operational emissions and saving operational time. They get benefits if they save emissions during our trainings too,” he added.
Chuquicamata iconic project
One of the key projects discussed was the Chuquicamata Underground copper mining project in Chile, where Normet provided concrete transportation, equipment (concrete sprayers, mixers), training (including virtual reality simulators), chemical support, and other services.
“We were part of the project from its inception, working closely with our local subsidiary to ensure a flawless execution. It is a good example of how we implement our complete solutions”
Addressing challenges faced in such projects, the Finnish highlighted the importance of environmental and location factors, due to the challenges the arid climate posed for concrete mixing and the difficulty to bring competent workforce to remote areas.
"Our global understanding combined with local expertise enables us to meet unique project requirements effectively," he explained, noting how Normet’s presence in 30 countries and 50 locations allows for truly tailored solutions, especially in entire sprayed concrete operation, operator training, and the concrete mix design expertise.
Green Innovation
When it comes to sustainability, Sonninen outlined Normet's focus on implementing new technologies, such as battery-operated equipment and VR simulators, to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices that align with global Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Normet's simulators contribute to environmental conservation by saving fuel, materials, and time during training, with historical data showing a 23% improvement in operational efficiency. "By optimizing processes, improving energy efficiency, reducing the amount of cement in production by correct mix design and avoiding extra usage and waste of concrete, we strive to minimize environmental impact," Sonninen explained.
Looking ahead, Sonninen identified digitalization as a key trend shaping the industry. "Digitalization, including data handling, simulator solutions, automated spraying units, scanning and mapping technologies to monitor the sprayed concrete thickness layers and capture its profile information, is revolutionizing in underground operations, and Normet is at the forefront," he stated, and added, “we are the industry role model in sprayed concrete technology, and it is one of our main focuses”.
Normet's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and excellence continues to redefine the landscape of mining and tunnelling operations globally. With a strong commitment to meeting customer needs and embracing industry trends, Normet remains a pioneer in our field.
