SES Mining eBook

INNOVATIONS IN
SMART MINING
Bringing Reliable Connectivity to Mines in Africa and Asia-Pacific
THE DIGITAL AGE: EVOLVING
MINING OPERATIONS
The mining industry is experiencing an exciting transformation as automation, real-time
data, and remote-controlled vehicles become the new norm. The result is that many large
mining corporations in Africa and Asia-Pacific are upgrading operative systems and moving
data intelligence into the cloud.
SAP predicts that by 2025, mining companies will be fully equipped to reap the benefits of productivity brought on by the
age of digital transformation. This means decision-makers and mine managers must take bold action to transform their
mining operations to maximise efficiency, productivity, and profit.

Source: “The Intelligent Enterprise for the Mining Industry.” SAP. 2019.
https://www.sap.com/canada/industries/mining.html#pdf-asset=3eb0f65b-dd7c-0010-82c7-eda71af511fa&page=6

Innovations in Smart Mining 2

THE NEED FOR LOW LATENCY As business applications
AND INCREASED BANDWIDTH and computer intelligence
Because a large number of mines in Africa and Asia-Pacific are situated in far- move into the cloud, the
reaching corners of the continent where stable terrestrial connections don’t exist,
mining companies rely on limited connectivity services: self-laid fibre networks, need for robust, low-
microwave connectivity, satellite-based services, or a combination of these. latency connectivity has
Many large mining companies are finding operational efficiencies by combining become imperative to
information technology (IT) systems used for data-centric computing with
operational technology (OT) systems used to adjust and monitor processes and mining success.
devices. However, with the major trend in IT/OT convergence, old generation
systems cannot keep up with new bandwidth demands, resulting in network
downtime and slow connections severely impacting productivity.

Reuters
Severed cable sends
Tonga ‘back to the
beginning of the internet’

VN Express
Repairs to Vietnam’s
busted internet cables
to take up to four weeks

Fin24Tech
South Africa
internet connectivity
hit by cable outages

Innovations in Smart Mining 3

SMART MINING TRANSFORMATIONS
The latest in digital innovations is bringing IT/OT convergence to a fully connected
mine. This means no more damaging silos of information between mining operations,
and far more possibilities for seamless data sharing and communication crucial to
mining operations. Mine operators can now better address the daunting challenges
of increased productivity and decreased profit loss, and have a lot more control
over costs and cash leakage.

KEEPING UP WITH
CONNECTIVITY REQUIREMENTS
So how are mines evolving, and what does it mean to be a fully-connected mine?
The image below depicts a modern smart mine, and how low-latency and
high-throughput networks equip it with advanced capabilities for remote
mining operations, cloud connectivity, and more.

SNAPSHOT: THE FULLY CONNECTED MINE

Digital Supply Chain: Corporate Communications: Machine-to-Machine Cloud-Based Data

From Pit to Port From Mine to Headquarters Automation Processing
• Integrated planning • P
 rivate lines of • Remote-controlled or • Long-term
and logistics communication automated machinery business planning
• Logistics visibility • S
 kype calls, video • Timing of blasting • R
 isk and compliance
and procurement conference, SMS management
• Safety monitoring
• Smart warehousing • Recreational communication • P
 roject and portfolio
and entertainment • Video surveillance
• Intelligent asset management
management • Customized management • Customer relationship
of connectivity management

Innovations in Smart Mining 4

REMOTE MINING CHALLENGES
AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
The mining industry has been relatively risk-averse when deploying new technologies. But
increasing production costs and tighter profit margins are putting pressure on mines to find
new efficiencies. Here are some of the biggest challenges mines in Africa and Asia-Pacific
encounter, and how current technology can solve for them.

1. COMMUNICATION
CHALLENGES
As IT managers coordinate work across a mine, they are tasked with overseeing
working connections for text and video calls, sensitive information, and live training
as well as connecting workers to family and friends. Remote sites that use decade-
old communication systems often face a number of barriers to communication that
impact the safety and productivity of the mine, including:
• Dropped calls and spotty connections.
• Inefficient repeater use and low signal strength for remote locations using
microwave connectivity.
• Poor quality video calling due to limited bandwidth.
• Physical barriers and difficult terrain preventing ease of fibre connectivity..

SOLUTION: STABLE AND FLEXIBLE LOW-LATENCY COMMUNICATION

• Constant, reliable connectivity: A low-latency solution is a game-changer
when it comes to efficient communications for underground networks, ensuring
office-like connectivity with fewer dropped packets.
• Rich media capabilities: Low-latency connectivity brings mines more than
just basic voice and data but also adds a range of rich media, including VoIP
and cloud-based services.
• Eliminate the need for repeaters: Satellite is the most reliable and durable
solution for a stable connection for mines that deploy more than 3-4 wireless
backhaul repeaters.

Innovations in Smart Mining 5

2. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
CHALLENGES
The accelerated shift to cloud-based applications puts a heavy strain on existing
network capacity, forcing IT management to address the many challenges that
accompany increasing network demand. These include:
• Limits to business applications: Low-throughput or high-latency
connectivity limit the use of important business applications, such as
SAP, ERP, and Salesforce.
• Predictive Quality of Service (QoS): Delivery of predictive QoS can be
difficult to achieve with traditional satellite-based or microwave connectivity,
prohibiting cloud connectivity.
• Supply chain slow down: All elements of supply chain management
are limited when running in remote locations with limited connectivity.
This impacts field operations, procurement, security, transportation,
scheduling, and warehousing.

SOLUTION: EXCEPTIONAL DATA TRANSFER CAPABILITIES

• Quality connectivity: A robust connection ensures business applications
always run at optimal speeds, boosting productivity.
• Network capacity for the cloud: To fully embrace digital transformation,
it’s crucial that your network can support the requirements of edge and
core cloud services.
• Integration with LTE or 5G deployments: Even in remote locations, LTE or 5G
networks are enabled with a modernized backhaul solution, allowing your team
to use their smart devices in new ways.
• Resiliency: A back-up solution provides business continuity to any primary
connectivity solution.

Innovations in Smart Mining 6

3. EMPLOYEE SAFETY & WELFARE
CHALLENGES
It’s no surprise that retaining talent can be a challenge in the mining sector. Isolated
mine sites across Africa and Asia-Pacific can be less attractive than a bustling city.
Add to this, the risks to worker safety and welfare make mine managers’ jobs that
much harder. Common challenges relating to high turnover include:
• Poor communication lines preventing reliable connections to
friends and family or entertainment.
• Unclear demonstration of commitment to modernized worker
safety and welfare.
• Challenges in delivering safety and compliance training remotely.

SOLUTION: NETWORK THAT ELEVATES SAFETY AND EMPLOYEE WELFARE

• Managed high-throughput connectivity with wireless access points: With a
managed access network, employees can communicate with friends and family
or access entertainment, on a set schedule or according to a fair use policy
defined by management.
• Modernized safety: Low-latency connectivity facilitates the use of safer
equipment in dangerous areas with real-time data feedback, smart sensor
fleets, connected wearables, and reliable voice and video communications.
• Smart digital user interfaces: Equip operators and service technicians
with the tools to quickly diagnose issues and failures before they endanger
workers and productivity.
• Automation: Teleoperation or automation of mining equipment is the safest
approach as it uses real-time video, sensor data and control software over a
broadband connection to keep workers out of hazardous situations.

Innovations in Smart Mining 7

4. COST-EFFICIENCY & FORESIGHT
CHALLENGES
While the concept of digital mining is not new, traditional mining companies
often resist updating their technology and processes due to a number of reasons:
• Steep upfront capital costs: With network expansion comes high initial
capital expenditures with long payback periods.
• Lack of expertise: When adopting new backhaul services, companies may
lack the in-house expertise to build, operate and maintain robust networks.
• Short-term planning: Mining companies often favour short-term cash flow,
and overlook the cost-savings that can accompany increased connectivity
over the lifetime of the investment.

SOLUTION: FULLY MANAGED CONNECTIVITY

• End-to-end service management: Eliminate high upfront capital costs by
using an end-to-end lifecycle service partner to integrate the site survey,
installation and management of expanded network infrastructure.
• Expert knowledge: Partnering with experts who understand the requirements
of the mining industry and the best practices in building fast, reliable satellite
networks will reduce risk and save time and cost when operationalizing your
satellite network.
• Lower cost of ownership: Mining companies can eliminate the capital
expenditure and reduce the operating cost of a satellite network with
managed services, letting one partner integrate and operate the entire solution.
• Robust SLA: Ensure network performance with a strong SLA that can cover
every element of your backhaul network under one easy-to-understand
uptime number.
• Long-term vision: With help from network experts, select technologies that
serve not only the needs of today, but can scale with increasing demand and
evolving technology.

Innovations in Smart Mining 8

CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS IN
MINING: SATELLITES
Satellite infrastructure, both in space and on the ground, has evolved over the last
decade to greatly improve the quality of experience for the end-user. The good news
for mining operations is that high-throughput satellite systems have largely addressed
the shortcomings of fibre, microwave and legacy satellite systems.

KEY SATELLITE ADVANTAGES

Relied on by industries as disparate as military operations and cruise Expanding Digital
ships, high-throughput satellite services are one of the only viable
options on the market that provide stable, flexible, and cloud-ready Capabilities:
network connectivity services for the mining industry. Resolute Mining
in Syama
SOME KEY ADVANTAGES OF HIGH-THROUGHPUT Country: Mali
SATELLITES INCLUDE:
• Low-latency connectivity: More stable and reliable office-like This mine, located 300km
connectivity enables lag-free communications, real-time data southeast of the capital,
monitoring, and automated mining activities.
leverages satellite data
• High-throughput for big data applications: Cloud-computing,
connectivity to enable
data transfers, expanded business applications, and new
technologies were built with high-speed connections in mind. enterprise cloud applications
GEO high-throughput satellites and MEO satellites can keep and enhance safety and
up with the most demanding applications. productivity. As the world’s
• Economize and Scale: The flexibility of satellite-enabled first fully automated sublevel
networking allows companies to achieve improved economics
cave gold mine, operations
and scale telecommunications as requirements grow.
count on high-speed
• Integrated Intelligent Solutions: Partnerships with cloud and
SD-WAN providers add even more value to a satellite network, connectivity to connect
ensuring the most popular business apps deploy and operate cutting-edge applications
seamlessly, allowing IT managers to deploy virtual network and equipment.
functions (VNF) remotely, and establishing responsive
backup services.
• Accelerate 5G deployments to remote locations: GEO and Learn more
MEO constellations expand 5G footprints into regions that are
difficult or impossible to serve via terrestrial assets.
TYPES OF SATELLITES
Communications satellites are categorized by the orbit they occupy: Geostationary
Orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), or Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Each orbit
provides certain pros and cons, and the choice depends on each use case’s
unique requirements.

GEO
Operating in a 36,000 km orbit, GEO
has the highest latency compared to
other satellite orbits at approximately
700ms and throughput between 1-100
Mbps. With a managed GEO network,
though, business applications can
still be guaranteed.

MEO
Closer to the ground than GEO at
approximately 8,000 km above
ground, MEO offers low-latency
speeds of 150ms and supports
high throughput capacity of 100-
10,000 Mbps. MEO brings fibre-like
performance to remote areas and
has the capacity required to meet
the needs of large mining operations
with data-centric use cases.

LEO
LEO is an emerging technology
deploying smaller and more cost-
effective satellites closer to the
earth at distances ranging from 160
to 2000 km away. LEO satellites may
deliver low latency and throughput
ranging from 10 - 100 mbps. LEO
fleets require hundreds or thousands
of satellites to operate, and the
network complexity and small
footprint make them less suitable
for enterprise-grade mining networks.

CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS FOR

MULTIPLE MINING SITES
Virtual Network Operation allows multiple sites to share a “pool” of bandwidth,
avoiding overpaying for underutilized connectivity, or stymieing a mine when
demand for throughput is higher than contracted. This means you can:
• Save on long-term operational costs by paying for only what you
need, and allowing sites to “burst” when demand for throughput is high.
• Lower your cost of ownership by eliminating the capital expenditure
and operating costs associated with satellite gateways by using
shared uplink resources.
• Simply update profile settings via a network management system
(NMS) portal to easily prioritize how capacity is shared within your
network, whether profiles are set per site, per application, or per user.

Innovations in Smart Mining 10

STAYING COMPETITIVE TODAY
AND INTO THE FUTURE
Looking to the future, Africa and APAC mine managers and key decision-makers must
equip their mines with resilient and reliable connectivity networks to stay competitive.
Connectivity is and will continue to be the most powerful enabler for productivity,
communications, safety, and employee welfare. It’s time to evaluate whether your
networks can handle the growing broadband demands of digital transformation.

Innovations in Smart Mining 11

Looking for connectivity solutions to optimize
your mining operation? Contact us to find the
optimal solution that can scale with your mine.
info@ses.com

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Printed in October 2019.

This brochure is for informational purposes

only and it does not constitute an offer by SES.

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at any time, and assumes no responsibility
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