Modern Mining January 2025

The future of mining is here, and it’s powered by 5G.

solutions in South Africa, building private networks for several companies, particularly in the mining sector. Behr highlights MTN’s commitment: “We are proud to be leading the way in smart mining solutions. Our work with large industry mining companies showcases the potential of 5G to revolutionise mining operations, making them safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.” Advantages of 5G Private Networks The high capacity and low-latency capabilities of 5G, combined with the exceptional security of private networks, make this technology ideal for modernising the mining industry. 5G Private Networks are revolutionising the mining sector by significantly enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and productivity. These networks provide high bandwidth and low latency, enabling real-time monitoring and control of mining operations. This supports the use of autonomous vehicles and equipment, predictive maintenance, and remote operations, which collectively reduce downtime, maintenance costs, and the need for on-site personnel. Additionally, 5G Private Networks improve safety through continuous monitoring of environmental conditions and worker health, and by automating dangerous tasks, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Moreover, 5G Private Networks facilitate the integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, edge computing, and AI, which further optimise mining operations. These networks can be customised to meet the specific needs of each mining operation, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. The benefits include increased productivity, enhanced safety, improved operational efficiency, and significant cost savings. By leveraging 5G Private Networks, the mining industry can achieve more sustainable practices, better resource management, and faster decision-making, ultimately transforming the sector into a more efficient and safer environment.

The mining industry is collaborating with MTN to leverage 5G Private Network technology.

“Safety is paramount in mining,” Behr notes. “With 5G, we can implement real-time monitoring and automation that significantly reduce risks and enhance the safety of our operations.” Overall, the adoption rate of private 5G networks is increasing across various industries, with mining being one of the key sectors due to its need for reliable, high-capacity, and low-latency communication solutions in often remote and challenging environments. The adoption of 5G Private Networks in the mining sector is growing, but it is still in the early stages, according to recent reports by networkworld.com. The mining industry is collaborating with MTN to leverage 5G Private Network technology, co-creating shared value. For more information on how MTN is helping redefine mining through 5G Private Networks, visit MTN Business. Behr concludes, “The future of mining is here, and it’s powered by 5G. At MTN, we are committed to driving this transformation and helping our partners achieve new levels of success.” n

JANUARY 2025 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  11