PAI SERVICES

SAFETY MATTERS. PRODUCTION MATTERS. TRAINING MATTERS.

Operations

Performance Associates develops plant operator training programs, using process descriptions and flowsheets, safe job procedures, process variable and control loop descriptions and diagrams, interlock and alarm documentation, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides to improve the overall performance of your plant operations.
Performance Associates’ plant operator training programs emphasize the specific knowledge necessary to operate a plant. Our three-tier concept of effective plant operator training starts with fundamental knowledge, but includes plant-specific knowledge that is then reinforced through the use of detailed animations and interactive simulations. The plant operator training materials include process descriptions and flowsheets, safe job procedures, process variable and control loop descriptions and diagrams, interlock and alarm documentation, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides. Our plant operator training programs teach classroom theory as well as in-plant practice. Performance Associates will make sure that your operators become plant operations experts. Performance Associates has more than 30 years of experience in providing and assisting clients with their plant operator training programs.
Performance Associates’ computer-based plant operator training programs provide your people with the knowledge to:
  • Operate the process effectively and safely.
  • Optimize control of critical process variables.
  • Consistently operate the plant in accordance with company policies and procedures.
  • Minimize equipment damage.
  • Maximize production rates during new plant start-up.
  • Effectively respond to process upsets and process alarms.
  • Maximize the return on your capital investment.
"Great stuff. I am impressed. It’s just what we needed."
-- Hal Roach, process plant operations coordinator, Newcrest Mining Limited, regarding an animation of the new Lihir plant autoclave circuit.

Maintenance

Performance Associates develops maintenance training programs, using exploded graphics, explanatory text, detailed procedures, and management systems, if necessary, to improve the overall performance of your maintenance operations.
Performance Associates’ maintenance training programs are customized to provide necessary knowledge to both maintenance tradesmen and supervisors. Our maintenance training includes tradesman training on the specific maintenance requirements of plant equipment and instruments, as well as supervisor training on the associated maintenance management systems and supervisory skills. We assist clients in establishing and improving maintenance management performance through the development and implementation of maintenance planning systems, preventive maintenance procedures, spare parts inventory management methods, and cost control systems. Exploded graphics, explanatory text, animations, and detailed procedures help to ensure that maintenance personnel know how to optimize equipment availability and reliability.

Performance Associates’ maintenance training package can also include an on-site survey to evaluate your maintenance systems and the effectiveness of those systems. We submit a comprehensive report to the client, outlining our findings and recommendations. Performance Associates can then assist in implementing any recommendations. Such an implementation program normally consists of improved systems, maintenance skills, and management training. Performance Associates has more than 30 years of experience in providing and assisting clients with their maintenance training programs.
Performance Associates’ computer-based maintenance training programs provide your people with the knowledge to:
  • Safely and efficiently maintain mine and plant equipment.
  • Optimize control of critical process variables.
  • Effectively troubleshoot equipment problems.
  • Effectively plan and schedule maintenance work.
  • Optimize equipment availability and reliability.
  • Maximize the return on your capital investment.

Mobile Equipment

Performance Associates develops mobile equipment operator training programs, focusing on operator controls and indicators; safety; and performance optimization, operating, emergency, and troubleshooting procedures to improve the overall performance of your mobile equipment operations.
Performance Associates’ mobile equipment operator training programs emphasize the knowledge to help increase safety awareness, improve operating effectiveness, decrease accidents, and reduce mobile equipment operation and maintenance costs. Our interactive mobile equipment operator training programs include operator controls and indicators; safety; and performance optimization, operating, emergency, and troubleshooting procedures that are specific to the equipment. Mobile equipment represents a significant operating cost in mining operations and is also a major factor in many mine and plant accidents. Mobile equipment operator training designed specific to your equipment will help to ensure optimization of your mobile equipment operations. Performance Associates has more than 30 years of experience in providing and assisting clients with their mobile equipment operator training programs.
Performance Associates’ computer-based mobile equipment operator training programs provide your people with the knowledge to:
  • Utilize equipment safety placards and procedures.
  • Implement mine operating and safety rules.
  • Understand function of equipment components, as well as any associated troubleshooting procedures.
  • Correctly use equipment controls.
  • Operate machinery in accordance with normal and emergency operating procedures.
  • Optimize performance, including minimization of cycle times.

PTracker Pro

Performance Associates developed PTracker Pro, a learning management system, to help manage and track the performance of employees and, therefore, improve the overall performance of your mine and plant industrial training programs.
PTracker Pro Brochure
PTracker Pro Software Package
PTracker Pro is a powerful and simple-to-use learning management system, user information database, and performance tracking and reporting application rolled into one. PTracker Pro launches and tracks all online training content, whether it is provided entirely by Performance Associates or in-house by the client. The trainee’s progress through each course is measured by customizable electronic tests and other assessments.
PTracker Pro also allows the training administrator to design and schedule training courses and track test scores, field assessments, and performance, including the amount of time that each trainee is engaged with each computer-based training course. Using PTracker Pro, trainers and supervisors are able to view performance data, assign certifications, and create custom reports. PTracker Pro provides the ideal solution for tracking, reporting, and maintaining the performance of your personnel.
Contact Performance Associates today to learn more and see an online demonstration of PTracker Pro, its functionality, and how it can streamline your mine and plant industrial training programs

Field Tracker

Performance Associates developed Field Tracker, a data management system, to allow for more efficient management of equipment checklists, operating procedure, and maintenance inspection data while in the field.
Field Tracker Brochure
FTracker Pro Software Package
Performance Associates’ Field Tracker software is a data management system that enables the user to enter information into and automatically update equipment checklists, operating procedures, and maintenance inspections while out in the field.
Using a tablet and Field Tracker software, the user can remotely access step-by-step procedures or equipment inspection checklists. As the user performs and indicates completion of each step of the checklist/procedure/inspection in Field Tracker, the software updates the database in your computer system. If a problem is encountered while performing any of the steps, the user can select a Report Issue button to record details of the problem. Additionally, the user can upload a photo or video to the database, using a tablet camera and Field Tracker software, to further document the issue.
An easy-to-use table interface allows the user to conveniently add or update each equipment checklist, operating procedure, or maintenance inspection in the Field Tracker data management system.
With Performance Associates’ new Field Tracker technology, your personnel will no longer have to take reams of paper into the field and transcribe notes from paper inspection checklists to your computer system. The completion of each step is documented in a database and important issues can be highlighted as they are encountered in the mine or plant.
Contact Performance Associates today to learn more or see an online demonstration of Field Tracker, its function, and how it can improve your operating procedure and maintenance inspection performance.

Animations and Simulations

Performance Associates develops state-of-the-art graphics, voice-over audio narratives, and technically engineered, situational variables to provide life-like scenarios and improve the overall performance of your mine and plant industrial training programs.

Simulation Samples


Performance Associates’ animations and simulations allow for the illustration of equipment in operation, showing cutaway schematics and details of operation that cannot be observed while operating the actual equipment. These animations are particularly useful in our introductory, industrial training modules, introducing trainees to complex plant equipment and circuits in an easy-to-understand format. When critical areas require skillful training at its best, nothing matches the effectiveness of a premier, first-class animation or simulation model.
Performance Associates’ simulations provide for interaction between the user and an illustrated model. Some simple simulations can illustrate:
  • The effect of cyclone slurry feed density on cyclone overflow size distribution.
  • The operation of a temperature controller operating on two steams of different temperatures.
  • The operation of a thickener underflow density controller as the underflow density set point is changed or the load on the thickener is changed.

Introductory Training

Performance Associates can provide off-the-shelf introductory training packages to provide fundamental knowledge and basic training to improve the overall performance of your mine and plant industrial training programs.

Introductory Training
Performance Associates’ introductory industrial training packages are designed to provide fundamental principles and basic training to any operator, maintenance tradesman, or supervisor. Topics are related to mining, process plant unit operations, process control, mechanical skills, mobile equipment, and supervisory skills. Our introductory training modules are ideal when hiring personnel that are new to the mining industry.
Performance Associates can provide our standard, off-the-shelf introductory computer-based training modules to introduce basic plant operating concepts. These interactive modules provide trainees with the basic fundamentals and principles of process plant unit operations, such as centrifugal pumps, industrial filters, thickeners, boilers, flotation technology, grinding mills, and many more.
Performance Associates’ introductory training modules include training content as well as workbook questions and test questions that are ready to be integrated into our PTracker Pro learning management system.
Performance Associates’ introductory modules introduce trainees to:
  • The basics of unit operations and process control.
  • Basic maintenance skills.
  • The basics of mine mobile equipment.
  • Open-pit mining.