Vertical: Mining
Application: AGVs, enhanced safety
Ecosystem: Bell
Private Network: LTE/5G
Bell and MacLean have announced a strategic partnership aimed at propelling mining vehicle automation and remote operations in Canada to new heights. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the ongoing digital transformation of the mining sector, with implications for safety, productivity, and sustainability.
At the heart of this partnership is Bell’s installation of a private network at MacLean’s research and training facility in Sudbury, Ontario. This state-of-the-art network leverages Bell’s secure LTE/5G technology to provide robust connectivity from the surface all the way down to underground operations. The result is a seamless communication infrastructure that enables real-time monitoring and control of mining equipment.
David Jacques, MacLean’s VP of Engineering, emphasizes the transformative nature of this technology: “What we’re doing here at our research and training facility is quite literally building the mine of the future, now, leveraging Bell’s leading-edge mobile network technology.”
One of the most promising aspects of this partnership is its potential to significantly enhance worker safety. By enabling remote operations, the PMN allows workers to manage equipment from above ground, reducing the risks associated with underground mining. This capability is particularly crucial in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas.
Moreover, the low-latency nature of Bell’s network ensures that remote operators can monitor and control vehicles in real-time, without lag. This precision is vital for the deployment of semi or fully autonomous mining systems, opening up new possibilities for efficiency and productivity.
Beyond safety and productivity, this partnership also aligns with the industry’s growing focus on sustainability. Bell’s network has been installed at MacLean’s electric vehicle refurbishment plant, facilitating the use of battery-powered mining vehicles. This move supports broader industry efforts to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions, contributing to a more environmentally friendly mining sector.
The MacLean research and training facility, now powered by Bell’s network, is set to become a true Center of Excellence for mining innovation. This setup will serve as the foundation for MacLean’s mobile equipment research and development, enabling more reliable remote control of mining vehicles and supporting rapid decision-making based on real-time data.
“This new private mobile network technology will help us pursue our core work of driving safety and productivity improvements in mining, here in Canada and around the globe,” Jacques added, highlighting the global implications of this locally-developed technology.
As the mining industry continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Bell and MacLean will play a crucial role in shaping its future. By combining Bell’s telecommunications expertise with MacLean’s deep understanding of mining equipment and operations, this collaboration is set to accelerate the industry’s transition towards more automated, efficient, and sustainable practices. The implications of this partnership extend far beyond Canada’s borders. As these technologies are refined and proven in the challenging conditions of Canadian mines, they have the potential to transform mining operations worldwide, setting new standards for safety, productivity, and environmental stewardship in the global mining industry.
