Glencore

Technology/application partner

Instant Connect, a Cisco SolutionsPlus Partner

Channel/integrator partner

Ambra private LTE

View the Glencore Case Study (PDF)

Business challenge

Miner safety and improving labor productivity—while also controlling costs—are of paramount importance in the mining industry. For Glencore, a British multinational mining company, these concerns were increasing, given the limitations of its LMR analog communications system.

This legacy system used traditional UHF or VHF push-to-talk radios as the communication mechanism for miners. This system provided coverage only when miners were physically close to the main on-ramp into the mine. In addition, miners could only communicate up to supervisors; there was no ability to initiate a call down to a miner. And as an analog system, its only functionality was voice communication, which seemed increasingly outdated in the modern mobile digital environment.

Consider this scenario: A typical day workday for a miner begins with going into the mine to work an eight-to-twelve-hour shift with a set of tasks to complete. But given the availability of one-way analog communications only, tasks could not be updated in real time. The next shift could not benefit from the previous shift’s observations; miners recorded hard-copy information during their shifts, which they brought above ground as the next shift went down into the mine. Lack of connectivity also created safety risks, because miners could not be physically located in case of emergency.

Eliminate the geographic limitations of analog radios

Existing analog radios could only be accessed by radios close to the actual network. With communications conducted over the IP network, miners can be reached from anywhere in the world.

Improve communication efficiencies with a single private LTE network

Previously, Glencore’s analog system could be used only for miner voice communications and not for other parts of the business. With one private LTE network, however, all communications can be supported, from the back office to remotely controlled heavy equipment.

Accelerate decision-making

Glencore can now adjust plans in near-real time. For example, a geologist at corporate who notices something in the mining data can call a miner located underground. The miner can respond with smart phone video footage, which can be used to modify plans.

Increase miner efficiency

The ability to give miners near real-time direction greatly enhances efficiency and productivity. For example, a miner can be instructed to change plans based on a bottleneck observed in the overall process. If the change of plan requires equipment located a kilometer away, the miner can be given a map and directions to the equipment.

Track assets effectively

The LTE network makes it possible for Glencore to know where its assets are at all times. For example, equipment can get lost in miles of tunnels. Previously it might have taken days to find a piece of equipment, GPS can now locate it easily.

Keep miners safer

Mining is a notoriously dangerous job. Glencore can now deploy additional safety measures such as biometric sensors to monitor in real time what is going on in the mine—and with each miner. Miners can now communicate, and be located through GPS, regardless of their physical locations in the mine. In addition, the Instant Connect application sends notifications to alert miners of impending, potentially dangerous, events such as a large and heavy piece of equipment that’s moving nearby.

Deliver end-to-end quality of service

The private LTE network from Ambra delivers end-to-end QoS with a commitment to performance, reduced latency, and robust security. This commitment supports additional functionality such as remote monitoring and autonomous operation of large, complex equipment.