TOKYO — NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, a leading Japanese ICT solutions provider, has joined forces with Chile’s state-owned mining giant CODELCO to test new remote operation strategies for copper mines using IOWN’s All-Photonics Network. This effort, backed by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, aims to evaluate whether high-capacity, low-latency communications can significantly improve mining operations in dangerous and remote environments.
Project scope and objectives
The joint project will connect the El Teniente copper mine in central Chile with a remote operations center in Rancagua, a distance of around 1,500 kilometers. A core objective is to determine whether IOWN APN can allow for real-time control of heavy machinery located deep underground. The initiative will also explore how high-definition video can enhance monitoring and whether consolidating operations centers might reduce costs and improve safety for workers in high-risk areas.
Challenges in modern mining operations
CODELCO, one of the largest copper producers in Chile, is dealing with rising safety and efficiency concerns. Hazards such as underground mine collapses and a shortage of skilled operators have created a pressing need for safer, more automated operations. The company is making remote operations a priority to better manage its network of mine sites and reduce on-the-ground risks for employees.
To support this shift, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS is partnering with NTT DATA to evaluate communication requirements for remote machine control. The partners will optimize network setups and assess the practicality of a new remote operations model. The findings from this pilot will be used to support future IOWN APN deployments. These deployments will apply to mining, energy, and other industries that rely heavily on remote control systems.
IOWN’s potential beyond mining
The project is part of a larger push to expand IOWN technology into various sectors that benefit from off-site control capabilities. NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS hopes to use the insights gained from this pilot to build a foundation for global IOWN applications. The company is also working closely with NTT Inc., which is already pushing IOWN technologies into real-world settings, to help accelerate adoption across the NTT Group.
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, known for its role as a driver of digital transformation, aims to create new value through innovative ICT solutions. By improving safety and efficiency in the mining industry, the company seeks to support broader sustainability goals. The company also aims to foster collaboration between businesses and communities across a wide range of sectors.
As the mining industry faces increasing pressure to modernize and adapt to evolving challenges, projects like this one demonstrate the potential of cutting-edge communication technologies to reshape traditional operations. With Chile playing a key role in global copper production, this initiative could set an important precedent. It could influence how other countries and companies approach safety and efficiency in their own mining sectors.
For more details about NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS and its ongoing projects, visit the company’s website at https://www.ntt.com/en/. The company remains dedicated to leveraging advanced technologies to drive progress and create shared prosperity in both established and emerging industries.