NETWORKS & COMMS
benefits , ranging from improved worker safety , operational improvements and significantly improved ‘ green ’ outcomes , the companies say . A Nokia case study shows that the digital automation of a mining truck fleet using a private wireless network led to a 10 % reduction in fuel consumption and 15,000 t in CO2 emissions ( based on an average mine site with an annual production of 150 Mt ).
According to Fester , these solutions and networks are “ very suitable ” for Africa . “ You can really look after your assets , protect jobs and workers , ensure your mining enterprise stays out of repair shops , gets much better asset usage and mileage – the benefits are endless . This applies across mining but also increasingly into the manufacturing and energy spaces ,” he says . “ For instance , legacy systems perform several functions across multiple networks , using different infrastructure . We pick up the legacy interface and combine it on a single infrastructure to provide an end-to-end management view of distribution and production .”
Conway said : “ LTE private wireless is proving extremely beneficial in the energy sector to improve efficiencies , reduce downtime and faults ( 80 % of Asian utilities are already on this journey with Nokia ). This level of automation does not replace jobs but leads to increases in productivity and more opportunities . This is a glass-half-full story in Africa if you consider the demand for more scalable solutions like these , which we are already experiencing . The pioneering use cases have been initiated and it is now about enabling this technology more broadly .”
Newcrest trialling new connectivity technologies at Cadia
Newcrest Mining will trial advanced 4G Long- Term Evolution ( LTE ) and 5G mobile technologies underground at its Cadia mine , in New South Wales , Australia , to assess the potential of cellular delivery of data and video to support a smarter , safer and more sustainable mine , it says .
In partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple , Newcrest will deploy a private 4G LTE and 5G trial network in its underground operations at Cadia in the coming months . This announcement follows previous engagements where the trio worked to improve communications coverage , performance and safety with private 4G LTE at its Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea , and more recently for surface operations at the Cadia Valley Operations ( CVO ).
Speaking at the Sweden-Australia Sustainable Mining Summit in Sydney , Australia , recently , CVO General Manager , Aaron Brannigan , said modern mining is a data-driven business , with technology and digitalisation creating new levels of productivity and safety , greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact .
“ In the ongoing quest for productivity , efficiency and safety , Newcrest must use every tool at our disposal to boost performance at site while continuing to ensure that everyone at our mines gets home safely at the end of the day ,” he said . “ With 4G and 5G mobile technologies potentially offering better performance and capabilities than Wi-Fi , this trial will help Newcrest to assess its viability for greater coverage , capacity and functionality to support advanced underground automation , our Connected Worker strategy and future growth at Cadia .
“ It ’ s an exciting time for Newcrest and for Australian mining , and this is a great practical example of how Australia ’ s biggest industry can leverage Australia ’ s position as a global 5G leader to further drive digitalisation in the mining sector and help develop a smart , safer and more sustainable mine .”
The trial will use Ericsson ’ s Private 5G ( EP5G ) solution for Industry 4.0 enterprises to assess different cellular approaches for coverage and capacity needs and deployment economics . It will include the use of various 4G and 5G radio types , massive- and multi-user MIMO ( multipleinput-multiple-output ) advanced antenna systems for high density and high capacity connectivity requirements , and Uplink Booster technology derived from custom-made Ericsson Silicon system-on-a-chip 5G processors to increase uplink signal strength and data throughput , Newcrest explained .
Ericsson ’ s Head of Australia and New Zealand , Emilio Romeo , said : “ 5G connectivity will be instrumental in enabling advanced teleremote and autonomous technologies , which are integral to industries such as mining . We ’ re delighted to be working with Newcrest and Telstra Purple to trial Ericsson ’ s 4G LTE and 5G solutions , and enable Newcrest to develop know-how on how to
The latest addition to Becker ’ s mining communication solution offering has come through a global LTE partnership with Ericsson
best deploy them underground .” Telstra Purple Digital Transformation Executive , Paul Nicholls , said : “ We ’ ve been thrilled to see what our 4G LTE and 5G mobile network technologies have been able to do through this project , from supporting wireless mining applications underground , to boosting safety for the local team . These technologies are absolutely transformative for a broad range of industries , and it ’ s exciting to be part of industry 4.0 innovation in Australia .”
Becker Mining ’ s comprehensive options
Becker Mining Systems offers a range of different communication technologies for the mining industry . From voice-only communication systems through to sophisticated cellular systems , Becker can offer a variety of solution to accommodate for different customer and user requirements . The company recently explained to IM Becker ’ s available options by bandwidth , but at the heart of it is Becker ’ s Smartflow Mining Software suite which is a powerful data visualisation and analysis tool for all types of equipment .
First-off are the available radio frequency voice & data communication options . Becker ’ s well known smartcom VHF and UHF analogue and digital communications systems have been installed all over world and are partly known under the brand Varis-Mine communications , Becker ’ s Canada branch that joined the Becker Corporation in 2004 . Varis Mine Technology was known for reliable , powerful and cost-effective radio frequency systems that were distributed via a Leaky Feeder antenna foremost in underground but also in surface mining operations . Smartcom UHF and VHF communication systems are available in ATEX , IECEx and MSHA certified
72 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2023