SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis., March 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bucyrus International, Inc. (Nasdaq:BUCY), a world leader in the design and manufacture of mining equipment, announced today that the organization will donate an Electronic Mining Shovel Simulator to the Mesabi Range College Foundation and the Mesabi Range Community & Technical College. The simulator will be the only one of its kind to be located on any college campus in the United States for mining training.
The technology being donated is VAST™ - Value Added Simulation Training for Electric Mining Shovels. The simulator will be utilized to train perspective and current mining employees through the Industrial Mechanical Technology program at Mesabi Range where there was 100 percent placement in area mining properties for graduates from 2007 through 2009.
"There is a direct correlation between training students before they get to a mine site and a reduction in incident rates for safety issues. This technology will be by far the premier teaching simulator in the area but, more importantly, it will help educate the students who will be entering the workforce and keep them safe," said Vice President of Sales and Integration, Bob Jelinek, who helped cement the deal.
"As a premier equipment supplier to the mining industry, Bucyrus is committed to being a dependable partner to its customers, employees, communities and shareholders. At the core of that commitment is creating safe work environments, and modeling the best behaviors of corporate stewardship that will sustain many generations to come. With the donation of this innovative technology, Bucyrus is able to educate future mining employees and provide an invaluable asset to the mining industry," stated Shelley Hickman, Director of Global Communications at Bucyrus.
The shovel simulator will be housed at the Eveleth campus of Mesabi Range College alongside three Caterpillar simulators, a Hydraulic Excavator, a 16M Motor Grader and a 994 Wheel Loader. A press conference to commemorate this occasion will take place at the Eveleth Campus of the Mesabi Range Community & Technical College on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 9:00 a.m CST.
About Bucyrus International, Inc.
Bucyrus is a world leader in the design and manufacture of high productivity mining equipment for the surface and underground mining industries. Bucyrus' surface mining equipment is used for mining coal, copper, iron ore, oil sands and other minerals. Bucyrus' underground mining equipment is used primarily for mining coal and also used in mining minerals such as potash and trona. In addition to machine manufacturing, Bucyrus manufactures high quality OE parts and provides world-class support services for their machines. Bucyrus' corporate headquarters is located in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
About Mesabi Range Foundation & College
The Mesabi Range College Foundation is a vehicle for contribution of funds and assets for academic programs and scholarships not supported by traditional sources. Mesabi Range Community & Technical College provides high quality education resulting in rewarding employment, lifelong learning and the enriched lives of students and the community. Its vision is to lead northeastern Minnesota in accessible, innovative, and high quality learning and educational opportunities for the nearly 1,100 students they serve.