Information and communication technology groups Nokia and Telefónica Peru have joined hands with the Minera Las Bambas copper mine to enable digitalisation and automation projects at its site in Apurimac, Peru.

The copper mine is set to obtain a private long-term evolution (LTE) network, 4 600 m above sea level, as it starts pursuing a transition to automation and enhanced productivity.

Nokia will deploy its LTE radio access network solution, including base stations, technical support and training services, to enable more reliable communications between machines and people.

“This private LTE network will allow the Las Bambas mine to increase productivity and automation and, in doing so, embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” says Nokia Latin America head Osvaldo Di Campli.

Following the network deployment, the parties will perform an assessment of the mine applications to start the services migration to the new network.

The new network will improve existing wireless services, allowing Minera Las Bambas to deploy additional safety solutions and reduce the operating costs of its Tetra communication system.

“This is an important milestone for Minera Las Bambas, as it will enable a series of new automation technology solutions, increasing productivity in our mining operation, as well as supporting more advanced automation to improve worker safety,” explains Minera Las Bambas regional technology manager Miguel Canz.

Asset-intensive industries such as mining are increasingly required to digitalise their processes and systems to drive extreme automation and connect all sensors, machines and workers in the most flexible way, leveraging mission-critical wireless networking solutions such as private LTE.

The contract includes planning the site’s capacity and providing technical support for the next five years.

“We are working closely with Minera Las Bambas to provide an end-to-end connectivity solution for their operation that allows them to focus on their core business, while we care for the connectivity,” highlights Telefónica Peru B2B VP Dennis Fernández.