OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
5G is enabling automation of underground vehicles, robots and machinery
that includes small cells, micro remote radio heads (RRHs), distributed antenna systems (DASs) and radiating cables (also known as leaky feeders). Network architecture design and radio planning play central roles in successful implementation.
ROCK-SOLID COMMUNICATIONS Industrial-grade private 4.9G/LTE or 5G networks meet the need for reliable and secure voice, data and video communications and automated applications in underground mines with low latency and high-speed data transfer. Although coverage of a single antenna is often limited to a section or a gallery, the power of the cellular signal makes it a convenient choice for supporting caving, room-and-pillar and longwall mining methods as well as in-mine mission- critical and emergency voice and video communications. Private wireless networks based on
4G/LTE and 5G cellular standards can support all mining applications on a single industrial-grade infrastructure. In addition, they can provide seamless handovers and mobility at high speeds with predictable quality of service (QoS)
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and support a massive number of active device connections per access point with far greater reliability and security than other network technologies. A private wireless network can meet the needs of virtually any underground application that requires wireless connectivity, including autonomous vehicles, robotic processes and smart sensors. It can also support applications that are typically served by a cabled connection, such as HDTV camera feeds. LTE and 5G technologies make this possible because they can deliver high bandwidth and reliability, support low-power sensor and IoT networks, and adapt to older network protocols for legacy applications. If wireless spectrum is available, the same network technology can be deployed on the surface and underground to provide fleet connectivity and person-to-person or group communications across the entire mine.
PUTTING PRIVATE WIRELESS TO WORK In 2021, Nokia announced that it would work with mobile operator Telia and implementation partner Digita to
build a 5G standalone private wireless underground network in Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä mine in northern Finland. Te mining operator successfully completed its first underground 5G video call in June 2022. Tommi Kankkunen, general manager of the mine, looked forward to more achievements with 5G, saying, “5G will increase the performance of our networks above and below ground, which will enable our digitalised and automated operations to work even more efficiently. With this modern technology, we will be able to continue improving work health and safety as well as reliability.”
Te question of which connectivity technology to use in underground mines has finally become a non-issue. With private wireless, mining companies can achieve a big reduction in operating costs and a huge increase in operational gains from a wide range of Industry 4.0 digitalisation and automation use cases.
Jaime Laguna is head of Nokia’s mining and oil & gas business.
www.nokia.ly/mining-tracks
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