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South African coal mine equipped with 5G

27th January 2023

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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Canyon Coal’s Phalanndwa colliery is set to become a fifth-generation (5G) connected coal mine operation after it partnered with Huawei, MTN and Minetec Smart Mining to enable guaranteed connectivity within the mine and plant area.

The collaboration, which is described by the partners as a significant step towards the digital transformation of the coal industry, will see Huawei and MTN provide an advanced 5G solution at the Mpumalanga-based colliery.

“Phalanndwa colliery offers the perfect combination of the right technology with the right scenario, where ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency of 5G allow real-time communication among the mineworkers,” says Huawei South Africa Carrier Business CEO Fortune Wang.

The deployment of more application scenarios include a proximity detection system, vehicle detection, a tracking system and wireless video surveillance, he adds.

The systems will reduce the occurrence of accidents and protect workers from being harmed by trucks, as well as enable the monitoring of the movement trajectory and status of trucks in real time to shorten downtime.

“Practising responsible mining and looking after the safety of the mine and our miners are our primary goals at all times, and this switch to 5G and real-time monitoring of both staff and equipment will allow for greater levels of both efficiency and safety,” says Phalanndwa GM Kgotso Mongalo.

“Where connectivity was previously a problem, the 5G technology allows for real-time notifications of any technical problems within the operation, monitoring vehicle movements, engine health and fuel levels for example,” adds Minetec COO Davut Isik, noting that Minetec, which provides proactive, dynamic, new-generation solutions within the mining sector, is making the 5G technology capacity a reality on the Phalanndwa mine.

“It is not only operators who need to be able to see what is happening. Management needs to track activity and respond accordingly. With the introduction of 5G connectivity to the mine, business disruption can be avoided and can become more sustainable and profitable.”

MTN chief commercial operations officer Wanda Matandela says MTN and the mining company established an in-depth strategic partnership and will cooperate closely to build a solid foundation for digital transformation to take the mining industry forward.

Wang says the initiation of the 5G smart coal in South Africa will be a milestone in accelerating the local coal mining industry’s digital transformation.

“This kind of advancement will become increasingly important as South Africa looks to remain competitive in the global mineral and resources space,” he says.

“With the introduction of artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things, these cutting-edge technologies are key enablers for different vertical industries, including mining”.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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