availability heuristic, helping trainees internalize safety protocols more effectively (Reyes López et al., 2025). This becomes particularly valuable as mining companies face widening skills gaps. For example, the Chilean mining sector alone is projected to face a shortage of 34,000 workers by 2032, underscoring the need for scalable and efficient training approaches that support rapid workforce development (Reyes López et al., 2025). VR is proving highly effective for training technicians and equipment operators. In underground mining contexts, VR-based training programs allow new hires to rehearse procedures, practice troubleshooting, and interact with machinery in realistic environments before ever stepping onto a site. A 2025 study on VR-enabled operator training describes how VR supports skill development by providing real-time interaction with 3D equipment environments, allowing learners to manipulate controls, visualize maintenance tasks, and build spatial understanding with high fidelity. These immersive simulations promote procedural accuracy, muscle memory, and technical fluency—capabilities that are difficult to develop through lectures or static digital content alone. Research further indicates that VR training reduces operational training costs, minimizes equipment downtime, and supports safe, repeatable practice opportunities across scenarios that would be impractical or unsafe to recreate physically (Barkokebas et al., 2025). VR’s value is amplified in mining contexts where operator error poses significant risk to human life and equipment integrity. Simulations can replicate high-stakes tasks—such as operating loaders, drilling rigs, or haul trucks—without exposing new hires to operational hazards, thereby accelerating the journey from novice to competent technician. VR offers cognitive advantages that align directly with the challenges of mining education. Research indicates that immersive learning environments simulate authentic cognitive load, requiring learners to make decisions, troubleshoot issues, and navigate complex settings much as they would on the job. This leads to deeper conceptual understanding and more effective transfer of knowledge to real-world tasks. As adoption grows, VR is being integrated into broader mining workforce development strategies. Industry analyses highlight diverse applications now in use or under development, including: ● Virtual mine site tours for onboarding and recruitment ● Simulated maintenance procedures for complex machinery ● AI-enhanced decision-making drills ● Multi-user training environments for collaborative problem solving 124
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