Factory Settings: BELAZ VR Lab Opens at Kuzbass Polytechnic
Students can now take apart a mining dump truck piece by piece in the BELAZ VR lab. They study the vehicle’s design, practice assembling and repairing its components, and get their work evaluated by the system.
The lab was established through a partnership between Kuzbass State Technical University (KuzSTU) and B-24 LLC, the official representative of the mining equipment manufacturer in the Kuzbass region. Next year will mark the partnership’s 10th anniversary. The new facility lets students explore the design of mining dump trucks in a digital environment, and company representatives have already held their first training sessions there.
Andrey Krechetov, vice rector for research and international cooperation at KuzSTU, said the partnership helps improve the quality of education by giving students access to new equipment supplied with the help of industry partners. “Why? Because of the new equipment, of course, which our partners help us with. It’s no coincidence that Kuzbass State Technical University is the only university with a mining dump truck parked right outside. At least in Russia. It’s a symbol of our university, the heart of our campus.”
Building Muscle Memory
Students put on VR headsets and find themselves inside a mining dump truck. The program includes six modules covering the motor wheel and gearbox, front and rear suspensions, front axle, rear axle, and dump mechanism. This format lets students examine fasteners closely, understand the correct sequence of steps, and practice using tools. After the training, they take a virtual exam in which the system evaluates their performance and identifies mistakes.
“We’re recreating real work processes,” said Dmitry Yeliseyev, deputy chief designer for the digitalization of mining equipment at BELAZ. “Students can see how the dump truck is built, which components need to be unscrewed, and what fasteners and brackets are used. We create interactive modules that closely replicate real-world conditions. This helps students understand how a particular operation works and build muscle memory for individual tasks.”
The Heart of the Campus
Virtual reality is opening up new possibilities for hands-on training. The development of digital tools for educating mining engineers offers a clear example. In December 2021, the Bystrinsky Mining and Processing Plant in Russia’s Zabaykalsky Krai installed a simulator built by Novosibirsk-based company Forward to train BELAZ truck drivers. It featured 13 training scenarios, including reversing, loading and unloading, and the ability to change weather conditions. An instructor monitored each session and noted any mistakes.
“The visuals and equipment make you feel as though you’re sitting in a real cab,” said Valery Ryutin, a driving instructor at the Bystrinsky plant’s mining operations site.
In December 2024, the National University of Science and Technology MISIS opened the BELAZ VR lab. Students there study dump truck design and learn to assemble components, while a separate training center houses a full-scale dump truck simulator. That same month, L content announced it was developing VR simulators for educational institutions as part of the Professionalitet vocational education program, covering both underground and surface coal mining.
Also in 2024, the Ural State Mining University unveiled an upgraded training lab for microelectronics, automated control systems, and data transmission. In September 2025, the Advanced Engineering School at Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University developed simulators for Acron that recreate work in hazardous gas environments.
Predicting Equipment Failures
At the lab’s opening, BELAZ professionals presented IMS, an intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics system. It collects telemetry, analyzes operating parameters and equipment condition, and helps detect anomalies and anticipate failures before they occur. This makes maintenance easier to schedule and can reduce downtime. KuzSTU received a certificate granting it access to the system. Students also learned about emerging areas of development, including hybrid vehicles, electric dump trucks, hydrogen-powered equipment, and the use of liquefied natural gas.
Kuzbass Needs IT Professionals in Hard Hats
For a coal-producing region, training specialists who can maintain and repair mining equipment is especially important. In a virtual environment, students can practice the necessary procedures and learn how complex components work before they encounter the actual machinery.
The project also matters for Russia’s IT industry because it demonstrates how immersive technologies can be used in industrial training. One possible next step is to combine virtual modules with physical simulators and hands-on experience at industrial sites, strengthening preparation for future professionals.
