In South Africa, MTNs implementation of 5G technology in mining operations is generating significant attention, particularly in the coal industry, where groundbreaking digitisation efforts are underway
The company has successfully initiated 5G operations across more than seven mines in the country. Among these, Phalanndwa Colliery stands out as the first mine in the country to harness the power of 5G, marking a pivotal milestone in this year's technological advancements.
Teaming up with 5G leader Huawei, this ongoing project aims to revolutionise safety and enhance efficiency in South Africa's coal mines, addressing critical challenges prevalent in the industry.
The mining sector holds immense economic importance for South Africa, contributing significantly to the country's GDP with a total of around €29.3 billion (US$32bn) and providing employment to approximately half a million individuals, making it a vital cornerstone of the economy.
Huawei's groundbreaking 5G technology holds the promise of significantly reducing unnecessary fatalities in the mining sector. It introduces state-of-the-art safety measures that are poised to become integral to day-to-day mining operations.
Enhancing safety measures at Phalanndwa Colliery
At Phalanndwa Colliery, operated by Canyon Coal, two primary solutions have been implemented to ensure the safety of mine employees: 5G video surveillance and a 5G + IoT proximity detection system.
The high bandwidth capabilities of 5G enable high-definition video surveillance, allowing for seamless uploading and downloading of footage. Advanced features include reverse image search capabilities to track movements, reducing security risks by comparing captured footage with stored images in a database.
The 5G + IoT proximity detection system serves to prevent collisions by detecting the presence of people and vehicles near enabled vehicles, sounding alarms as a precautionary measure.
Improving operational efficiency
Research suggests that 5G technology can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency, potentially enabling up to 25% more ore production, over 40% more drill rig operations, and 20% energy savings through automation and remote operations.
Apart from bolstering safety measures, the system facilitates controlled movement through number plate recognition without human intervention. The smart conference system optimises work environments by offering remote meeting facilities and collaborative tools.
Elevated security measures
Inherent to any digital system, security remains a paramount concern. Huawei has implemented rigorous measures to safeguard its 5G system against cyber threats.
The deployed solution and services operate independently and self-contained within a private network, with no integration with the consumer core network. This ensures that any issues or faults in the consumer core network do not impact the private 5G network and its local services.
The private 5G core, using Huawei's Kite L-type solution, ensures the protection of critical assets through network isolation, data security, and user authentication.
Network security is further fortified with a dedicated mining network, reducing intermediate network links and enhancing end-to-end latency and bandwidth stability. This setup supports independent operations and facilitates efficient disaster recovery.
The system incorporates robust data protection mechanisms, employing antivirus intrusion detection and heightened authentication measures to prevent cyber-attacks.
The future of 5G in mining
In pursuit of expanding operations, Huawei and MTN have collaborated with various development partners, including vendors specialising in video surveillance and companies focusing on drone technology, augmented reality, and AI for safety surveillance.
To facilitate widespread commercial use for MTN, Huawei has developed a 5GtoB online store. This platform enables application developers and system integrators to access the capabilities of operators' 5G networks.
