Development of a virtual reality-based serious game in natural stone mining

In this study, it is aimed to teach occupational health and safety (OHS) rules that must be observed in natural stone quarries and the operating principles of cutting machines to associate, undergraduate, and graduate students studying in mining engineering and marble technology departments through the use of virtual reality (VR) technologies. A serious game has been designed using virtual reality technology to enhance students' learning speed and ensure more permanent retention of the subject matter by immersing them in a natural stone quarry environment where they learn about OHS and the operation of block cutting machines. Within the application, users dress a mannequin with the necessary and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a virtual mining site. Additionally, a stage has been added where users must select the correct safety sign from among various warning signs placed throughout the quarry in accordance with OHS regulations. After completing all these stages, the score achieved is displayed on the screen. On the other hand, models of the diamond wire saw, chain arm cutter, and frame saw machines used in natural stone quarry production have been included in the design. During the cutting process, users can observe how changes in feed and rotation speeds affect current, power, and specific energy on the machine control panel indicators. This demonstrates that it is possible to provide training in a virtual reality environment on how to achieve optimal cutting speeds, reduce wire wear, minimize energy consumption, and decrease production losses. A total of 22 students from Afyon Kocatepe University's Mining Engineering Department, 13 associate degree students from the Marble Technology Department, and 22 students from the University of Queensland's Mining and Mechanical Engineering Departments in Australia voluntarily participated in the application and subsequently answered a survey about the experience. As a result, the usability of the practical training delivered via VR technology was evaluated similarly regardless of demographic variables. This finding indicates that the developed training method is "equally accessible and comprehensible" for users of different genders, areas of expertise, and experience levels. In this respect, it successfully meets the goal of offering an inclusive user experience.