UK-based fully integrated satellite communications and connectivity services and solutions company Avanti Communications (Avanti) has launched, in Johannesburg, its new solution for the global mining industry, “Mines Always On”. Avanti possesses a constellation of four Ka-band communications satellites, designated HYLAS 1 to HYLAS 4, which provide a capacity of 50 GHz, coupled with a secure ground network of seven gateway Earth stations, covering 118 countries.

“Mines Always On” was launched in South Africa because, the company stated, mining had been highlighted as one of the key impetuses to economic growth across Africa. It further noted that a PwC survey last year showed that 100% of South African mining CEOs were committed to the adoption of digital technologies.

“Satellite technology is an undisputed lifeline for mining,” highlighted Avanti senior VP and South Africa country manager Gamze Aydin. “It will define new standards for improving efficiency, boosting safety, and addressing environmental compliance. It’s a transformative force, bringing vital technological advancements to legacy systems when it’s needed most.”

The African mining industry had a number of pivotal areas on which it had to focus, to improve its performance, the company pointed out. In Avanti’s order, these were – site safety enhancements; operational efficiency; data analytics and predictive maintenance; environmental monitoring and sustainability; community engagement and social responsibility; and regulatory compliance and risk management.

Site safety enhancements require the integration of Internet of Things sensors and real-time monitoring systems, enabling better detection of hazards and so improving worker safety. Operational efficiency will be achieved by using mining equipment and vehicle automation to streamline processes. Data analytics and predictive maintenance are reliant on big data analytics and AI, which will also allow more informed decision-making.

Environmental monitoring and sustainability require the rolling out of sustainable practices and technologies, thereby reducing mining’s environmental footprint. Community engagements have to be stepped up, and ethical mining practices adhered to. And, regulatory compliance and risk management will be enhanced by the use of digital tools.

All these areas are reliant, directly or indirectly, on reliable, real-time communications and connectivity systems. And satellite-based systems, such as Avanti’s, provide these services and solutions, which will be transformative for the mining industry. “Mining Always On” provides a high-performance primary connectivity network that is secure, stable and cyber resilient, which is essential for engineering private networks and exploiting cloud-based applications.

“Successfully charting this complex terrain heralds a new era of enhanced return on investment, operational efficiency, and sustainable practices in mining,” affirmed Aydin.