Japanese tech company investigates remote operation feasibility for Codelco’s El Teniente mine
Japanese telecommunications and information technology company NTT Docomo Business has launched a study and proof of concept jointly with Chile's State-owned copper miner Codelco to progress remote operations at the El Teniente mine using an "Innovative Optical and Wireless Network All-Photonics Network" (IOWN APN).
This initiative is part of a research project commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
To address operational challenges faced by Codelco’s copper mines, the initiative will connect a copper mine and a remote operations center – approximately 1 500 km apart – through an IOWN APN to assess its feasibility.
NTT will assess the feasibility of remotely operating heavy machinery using high-capacity, low-latency communication links, enhancing monitoring operations through high-definition video, and implementing a remote operations model.
Improving safety and operational efficiency at Codelco’s copper mines have become top management priorities in recent years, especially as there is growing demand for remote operation of heavy machinery used in underground mines and more advanced monitoring of mine operations.
NTT explains this is driven by the need to address working conditions that involve risks such as mine collapses, as well as shortages of skilled operators. There is also a need to manage operational functions distributed across multiple mines more efficiently.
The company will connect the El Teniente copper mine and a remote operations centre in Rancagua using IOWN APN to assess the communications environment needed to progress the remote operation of heavy equipment on site, as well as evaluate network configurations to consolidate the number of operation centres needed.
NTT will also look into enhancing remote monitoring for the mine through the use of high-definition video.