The companies signed a contract with Minera Las Bambas, the ninth-largest copper mine, to digitise and automate projects at Apurimac in Peru.
The partners will build and deploy a private LTE network 4,600 metres above sea-level, then assess the mine applications in order to begin services migration to the new network. The contract includes planning the site’s capacity and providing technical support for the next five years.
Miguel Canz, Regional Technology Manager at Minera Las Bambas, said, “This is an important milestone for Minera Las Bambas as it will enable a series of new automation technology solutions increasing productivity in our mining operation as well as supporting more advanced automation to improve worker safety.”
Industry 4.0
As part of the deal, Nokia will deploy its LTE Radio Access Network solution to improve the existing wireless service, allowing Las Bambas to deploy additional safety solutions and reduce operating costs of its Tetra communication system. As the network evolves further towards 5G, the Las Bambas mine will also benefit from push-to-talk and push-to-video.
Dennis Fernández, B2B VP at Telefónica Peru, said, “We’re working closely with Minera Las Bambas to provide an end-to-end connectivity solution for their operation that allows them to focus on their core business, while we care for the connectivity.“
“This private LTE network will allow the Las Bambas mine to increase productivity and automation and, in doing so, embrace the Fourth industrial revolution,” added Osvaldo Di Campli, Head of Latin America, Nokia.