11 April 2022

Nokia has deployed a private wireless network with Antofagasta Minerals for Minera Centinela, to support operations at its copper mine in Chile.

The Finnish tech firm has designed and deployed the private 4.9G/LTE solution, including Nokia AirScale radio equipment, mobile packet core, IP/MPLS service aggregation routers, and Wavence microwave transmission.

This network will allow the mining group to accelerate its digital transformation.

Nokia industrial-grade private wireless provides the high capacity and low latency required for enterprises, such as mining companies, to connect a variety of sensors, devices, equipment and vehicles, above and underground, the firm said.

The network, already in operation after being deployed in a record four months for Minera Centinela, will initially connect a fleet of autonomous trucks. Going forward it will support a wide array of operations as part of a five-year digitalisation plan which aims to transform the mining sector, while enabling safer and more efficient operations.

“We are transforming the way mining is done,” said Gino Ivani, technology manager, Antofagasta Minerals. “We want to deliver excellence in everything we do, leveraging operational efficiencies to achieve the best results. We are committed to sustainable mining and to providing the safest and most efficient facilities. We are very pleased to leverage Nokia industrial-grade private wireless solutions and its experience in mining automation to support our efforts.”