Mining 4.0 beyond AHS – what role can private wireless networks play?

The need to constantly optimize safety, sustainability, productivity and efficiency has made the case for digitalization and automation of mining operations more compelling than ever.

Investments in Industry 4.0 or – in this case – Mining 4.0 solutions have sharply increased over the past years.

The fact is that digital transformation and automation can deliver significant rewards. Advances in the industrial internet of things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and private wireless communications make it possible to improve decision making, create zero-entry mines, track assets and monitor operations to ensure safe conditions.

Looking at today’s deployments of Mining 4.0 technologies, however, it has to be noticed that most transformation projects are still focusing on Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) in open pit mines and Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) automation projects underground.

In this panel session, hosted by Nokia, thought leaders from the Australian mining industry will discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in mining, highlight the role that private wireless networks are playing, and explore what they make possible beyond the ‘low hanging fruit’ AHS use case.

Key learnings:

• What is driving mining operators’ digital transformation efforts?
• What are the current challenges for implementing Mining 4.0 in Australian mines?
• What technologies will make the difference? What role do private wireless networks play?
• What use cases beyond AHS and LHD automation LTE and 5G networks enable?

Nokia speakers:

• Brendan Conroy, Head of Sales and Business Development for a Mining and Oil & gas, Oceania at Nokia (moderator)
  Please note, this is a panel session which will also include the following panelists: 
• Graham Slattery, ICT General Manager at Yancoal Australia Ltd
• Mike Waller, IT Projects and Planning Manager at Atlas Iron Pty Ltd
• Mark O'Brien, General Manager - Digital Technology & Innovation (CIO) at CITIC Pacific Mining