Underground/overground low latency communication

SMART Mining Security Solutions 2023 Infrastructure, Mining (Industry)

In the age of smart mining, where technology is used to optimise operations, enhance safety, and increase efficiency, reliable communication is absolutely vital. From 5G networks to secure and reliable underground and open cast (M2M) communications, the mining industry is embracing digital transformation to improve the flow of information across sites, streamline decision-making, and enable safe, secure remote operations.


Willem Wentzel.

“The smart mining discussion has been going on for a few years, but technology could only address certain underlying mining communication requirements. The introduction of low latency, high bandwidth 5G (especially) ORAN communication means the complete set of communications requirements can be addressed. The next step is to make sure the business case is solid,” says Willem Wentzel, head of Wireless at NEC XON.

“The industry is hungry for low latency networks that enable control of machinery, reduce the risk of human injury, and increase productivity. The technology can work 24x7. A lot of mines can’t currently work at sunset because of safety concerns,” says Wentzel. Innovative 5G OpenRAN (ORAN) solutions enable mines to use the RAN network on multi-vendor platforms. It’s an opportunity to maximise the benefits of smart mining on cost-effective infrastructure.

Physical location challenges

Due to the often-unique location and layout of mines, radio frequency network planning can be complex. In this regard, NEC XON is developing a unique panel which deflects 3.7 GHz signals into specific areas where coverage is limited but required – underground, for example.

In terms of security, there are two levels that mining executives must think about. Data integrity, which is dealt with in the communication layer of the 5G ORAN technology, and data security, which implies appropriate access control of information to a large workforce. NEC XON has effective biometric solutions that facilitate this. “From a security perspective, the infrastructure must underpin a layer of trusted data which forms part of the solution,” says Wentzel.

The ability to privatise 5G ORAN will enable machine-to-machine (M2M), business to business (B2B), and push-to-talk communication on campus or anywhere in the country (or the world) where the customer has a presence using ORAN as a foundation. Wentzel says finding the right operation and business support system (OSS/BSS) is vital to the value proposition. This is especially important in mining where the network coverage need is intricate, a reality that impacts on cost.

Business optimising communications

To help ensure that network performance meets the mining industry’s exacting standards, NEC XON has adopted a methodology which includes end to end network assurance complimented by optimising power consumption to adhere to carbon reduction. This enables NEC XON to identify any weak points and optimise network usage on any vendor’s solution. That doesn’t just improve the network itself, but it reduces total cost of ownership by allowing for predictive maintenance, for example. The solution will tell support workers what to look for and what spares to take with them to effect repairs, allowing a suitably qualified technician to simply replace the part as indicated.

The plethora of sensors, devices, and machines generating data in real-time, means the ability to communicate information quickly and accurately is critical to optimising processes, reducing downtime, and improving safety. Effective communication systems allow for remote monitoring and control of operations, enabling mining companies to operate in hazardous environments without putting workers at undue risk. As such, the integration of advanced communication technologies has become essential futureproofing for the mining industry.

Find out more at www.nec.xon.co.za


Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Addressing today’s mining challenges: cyber risks beyond IT
Editor's Choice Information Security Mining (Industry)
Despite the mining industry’s operational technology systems being vulnerable to cyberattacks, many decision-makers still see these threats as purely an IT issue, even though a breach could potentially disrupt mining operations.

Read more...
Western Digital reveals new solutions
WD South Africa Products & Solutions News & Events Infrastructure
Western Digital unveiled new solutions and technology demonstrations at the Future of Memory and Storage Conference 2024. The innovations cater to diverse market segments, from hyperscale cloud to automotive and consumer storage.

Read more...
The Duxbury Services Gateway revolutionises the Edge
Products & Solutions Infrastructure
Duxbury Networking has announced the launch of the Duxbury Services Gateway (DSG) range. These cost-effective edge compute appliances are designed to meet the diverse needs of South African businesses including SD-WAN, Firewall, and IP PBX applications.

Read more...
Navigating the evolving tech landscape in 2024 and beyond
Residential Estate (Industry) Infrastructure
Progress in the fields of AI, VR and social media is to be expected, but what is not, is our fundamental relationship with how we deploy solutions in our business and how it integrates with greater organisational strategies and goals.

Read more...
Yssel Swanepoel appointed GM Surveillance and Analytics at NEC XON
NEC XON News & Events
NEC XON has announced the appointment of Yssel Swanepoel as the new General Manager of Surveillance and Analytics, who looks forward to bringing world-class surveillance solutions to the African market.

Read more...
Eight terabyte desktop SSD
Products & Solutions Infrastructure
Western Digital has expanded its SanDisk portfolio with the new 8 TB SanDisk Desk Drive, its highest capacity yet on an external desktop solid state drive (SSD), also available with 4 TB

Read more...
78% of organisations highly concerned about cloud security
Information Security Infrastructure
As organisations develop and deploy more cloud applications, security becomes more complicated. Many organisations are adopting a hybrid or multi-cloud approach, which has expanded the attack surface and increased complexity.

Read more...
Zimbabwe's police nail criminal syndicate with facial recognition
NEC XON Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management News & Events AI & Data Analytics
NEC XON shared that its NeoFace Watch facial recognition system was successfully used by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to identify and apprehend a Chinese syndicate attempting to enter the country using fraudulent travel documents.

Read more...
Share large files securely and without delay
Infrastructure Products & Solutions
Professional teams don't have to wait for large file uploads, dabble with insecure sharing platforms, or spend money on file servers and network storage. StorVault FileSpace is a South African solution providing fast, affordable, and secure file streaming.

Read more...
Expanded Cambium cnMatrix portfolio for enhanced network automation
Infrastructure Products & Solutions
Duxbury Networking, a southern Africa distributor for Cambium Networks, has announced that Cambium has expanded its cnMatrix switch portfolio with enhanced network automation and the new EX3024F Fibre Aggregation Switch.

Read more...