Japanese firm tests remote mining at Codelco’s El Teniente

NTT Docomo Business, a Japanese telecommunications and information technology firm, has embarked on a study to assess the feasibility of utilizing a next-generation optical communications network for remote control of machinery at Codelco’s El Teniente copper mine, situated approximately 1,500 kilometers from its control center.

This endeavor, commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, will establish a connection between the underground mine and a remote operations hub in Rancagua via NTT’s Innovative Optical and Wireless Network All-Photonics Network (IOWN APN). The primary objective of the project is to determine if the high-capacity, low-latency network can facilitate remote operation of heavy mining equipment, real-time high-definition video monitoring, streamlined operations centers, and the establishment of a novel remote operating paradigm.

NTT Docomo Business seeks to bolster safety and operational efficiency within the copper mining sector while simultaneously generating novel use cases for the IOWN APN across the broader mining industry. This initiative represents a growing urgency, as Codelco, the world's leading copper producer, grapples with mounting operational challenges at El Teniente.

The mine’s union recently announced a potential two-year suspension of the Andes Norte section development due to the discovery of heightened seismic risks deeper within the project. This decision has further exacerbated production difficulties at the world's largest underground copper mine, intensifying the already strained global copper market.

Codelco's decision to suspend the Andes Norte expansion follows six months of geological studies, which revealed greater seismic risks than initially anticipated at the deeper Andes Norte project, prompting the company to halt development to safeguard its workforce. In light of these developments, enhancing safety and operational efficiency has become a top priority for Codelco as it strives to mitigate worker exposure to underground hazards while addressing the scarcity of skilled equipment operators.

If the trial proves successful, the application of optical networking technology could extend beyond mining and energy projects, potentially permeating the wider mining and energy sectors. NTT plans to leverage the findings from this study to expand the deployment of IOWN technologies globally, collaborating with NTT Inc. to facilitate this widespread adoption.