The next evolutionary phase of mining is visible on the horizon, and mining companies are already scoping out its future potential. However, the leap from current mining practices to the next phase, Mining 5.0, is substantial. Without an advanced, robust connectivity foundation, mining companies won’t be able to add the over-the-top technologies essential to maintaining profitability and reputation.
Advancing connectivity can unlock operational savings to invest in Mining 5.0
With today’s volatile commodity prices often forcing mining companies to reduce production, it’s critical to take every opportunity to drop cost bases to boost sales and profitability. When budgets are tight, finding funds for digitalisation projects can be challenging, even if they would unlock the full benefits of Mining 5.0.
However, maximising operational efficiency is an effective route to freeing up some budget; our experience with our customers reveals that consolidating and standardising connectivity networks, voice and security can cut operating costs by 15% to 35%. These savings, if reinvested, could certainly enable investment into advanced connectivity and innovative over-the-top technologies that will allow companies to meet Mining 5.0's aspirations and leap ahead in the current market conditions.
Reliable connectivity sits at the heart of mining’s future
In the mining industry, dependable and consistent connectivity underpins core solutions, giving companies peace of mind that their over-the-top technologies will operate smoothly and effectively. Reliable connectivity supports:
A zero-harm approach
Mining 5.0 will take a human-centred approach, making worker safety the top priority. Where possible, technology will replace personnel in hazardous environments. Robotic systems, for example, will handle dangerous tasks like explosive placement and autonomous haulage and drilling, which will mean workers won’t need to be underground.
On-site digital monitoring and predictive analytics will assess environmental conditions and worker behaviour to predict risks and make real-time decisions to keep on-site personnel safe. And wearable technology and smart PPE will monitor workers’ vital signs, alerting them and control centres to dangerous conditions. For example, such technology could be used to give vulnerable workers in the OT workplace access to panic-button-type services.
Remote mining practices supported by AI and automation
In a crossover with the zero-harm ambition, AI and automation will support Remote Operating Centres (ROCs), taking people out of the field and centralising decision-making and control. Digital twins will create virtual replicas of physical assets, run scenarios to predict outcomes, guide decisions and trigger automated responses for maximum efficiency and safety.
IoT sensors will monitor equipment in real time, driving predictive maintenance, preventing costly failures and reducing downtime. Plus, AI-powered drones could now inspect high-risk areas without endangering human lives.
Sustainability for a greener future
A combination of advanced real-time data analytics, digital twins and AI-driven sensors will enable more efficient and precise decision-making. For example, accurately identifying high-yield mineral deposits to minimise environmental disruption.
This combination will help optimise energy consumption in processing plants, mining operations and autonomous haulage systems, leading to lower emissions and operational costs. These technologies will also be able to assess and manage mine waste, improve recycling, reduce environmental hazards and extract valuable materials from waste.
Digital voice services to bring people together
Digital voice services enable real-time, reliable and secure communication and decision-making across mining sites, ROCs and remote operations – whether these are deep underground or in the most remote mining environments.
Push-to-talk solutions enable instant, hands-free communication in hazardous environments, and voice services can deliver emergency alerts and automated SOS calls in case of accidents or detected danger. Plus, AI-driven voice assistants can help operators control machinery and monitor operations via voice commands.
Advanced security to defend assets
Robust security solutions are essential to protect mining operations, which are becoming more vulnerable to cyber threats as automated and digital systems increase. Encrypted remote access will allow operators to safely control machinery from centralised hubs and ROCs without exposing systems to threats.
AI-driven security protocols will monitor autonomous haul trucks, drilling rigs and robotic systems from cyber attacks in near real-time, automatically deploying defensive tactics. And IoT sensors, cameras and AI-driven systems will be able to transmit data safely without breaches.
Private 5G to underpin other digital technologies
Private 5G efficiently provides high-speed, ultra-reliable and low-latency connectivity to support near-instant communication between autonomous operations, IoT sensors, AI-driven analytics, real-time data processing, workers and control centres.
Sometimes combined with satellite-linked voice services, private 5G delivers seamless, cyber-resilient, interference-free connectivity even in remote and underground mining sites.
Look out for future articles in this series for deeper dives into these essential over-the-top technologies.
Cloud will be increasingly vital to effective interconnectivity
As companies progress towards Mining 5.0, the number of people or companies they need to interact with will grow. Companies will turn to specialist sub-contractors or partners to deliver what they need when they need it around the globe, rather than owning the resources themselves. All this collaboration will require cloud connectivity, and current cloud arrangements may start to feel the strain. Increasingly, clouds will need to exchange data efficiently, and companies must ensure that the security used in various clouds connects seamlessly to protect their data. Outstanding interoperability will be crucial.
Global Fabric delivers cloud interoperability for Mining 5.0
Our new network platform, Global Fabric, is a leap forward in networking. It provides an end-to-end, fully programmable platform that seamlessly connects companies to the cloud and its wider multi-cloud operations.
No matter the scale of cloud connections a mining company needs, Global Fabric simplifies the process of connecting to other clouds, hyperscalers and cloud-based applications. Plus, it’s designed to support tight cost management and minimise egress costs from public clouds using pre-integrated direct connectivity routes into hyperscalers.
Partnering with mining leaders and providing managed services
At BT, we have the expertise and experience in the mining sector to implement and manage the most future-forward connectivity solutions, and we’ve already deployed such connectivity solutions for multiple blue-chip mining companies.
For example, our partnership with a leading metals and mining corporation involved implementing and managing connectivity solutions. Our experts delivered Global Fabric, unified communications technologies, network service orchestration capabilities, robust cyber security defences and a technology operations centre. Today, the corporation is thriving, supported by these advanced functions. Amongst many other benefits, the corporation particularly values its strengthened security posture, end-to-end visibility across its network, security and applications and guaranteed connectivity availability under failure.
Connectivity is fundamental to every advanced technology essential for mining companies looking to realise the early benefits of Mining 5.0. Get in touch to evolve your connectivity while reducing your operating costs.
