Yancoal and TPG Telecom: Revolutionizing Mining Connectivity with a Mobile Private Network

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As industries increasingly embrace automation and digitization, the need for robust, reliable connectivity has become crucial, especially in complex environments like mining. Mining company Yancoal’s recent partnership with TPG Telecom exemplifies this trend, as they deployed a Mobile Private Network (MPN) at the Mt Thorley Warkworth (MTW) mine in Australia’s Hunter Valley. This initiative has turned connectivity challenges into productivity gains, transforming on-site operations and setting a new standard for mining connectivity.

Mining operations, particularly open-cut mines like MTW, face unique connectivity challenges. In such large-scale environments, traditional mobile networks often fall short due to limited coverage and high latency, resulting in inefficiencies, safety risks, and communication blackouts. Prior to TPG Telecom’s involvement, MTW’s on-site network covered just 60% of the area, making it difficult to manage Yancoal’s fleet of trucks, dozers, and draglines in real-time.

TPG Telecom’s Mobile Private Network (MPN) solution was purpose-built to address the coverage and performance demands at MTW. Working with Nokia, TPG Telecom developed a standalone MPN that integrates seamlessly with the existing public network and utilizes TPG’s low-band spectrum to maximize coverage, speed, and security. Following a year-long development process, the MPN now delivers approximately 99% coverage across the site, allowing real-time tracking and communication across the entire fleet.

The MPN has enabled Yancoal to make significant strides in several areas:

  • Enhanced Fleet Management: With 99% coverage, Yancoal can now monitor and communicate with vehicles and equipment in real-time. This improved visibility has streamlined operations, allowing the company to optimize loading, queuing, and delivery times, which has reduced downtime and boosted efficiency.
  • Improved Safety Protocols: The robust connectivity provided by the MPN has facilitated the rollout of collision awareness and fatigue management systems. These safety measures are particularly valuable in high-risk, high-activity mining environments, helping prevent accidents and ensuring that workers remain alert and safe.
  • Sustainability and Operational Reporting: The MPN’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity allows for accurate, immediate data capture across the pit. This has enhanced Yancoal’s reporting capabilities, enabling timely updates on safety and sustainability metrics and reducing the need for manual paperwork.

For Yancoal, the implementation of TPG Telecom’s MPN has proven transformative. By transitioning from a limited coverage model to near-total site connectivity, the MTW mine has become an exemplar of how private networks can revolutionize resource sector operations. Yancoal’s ICT General Manager, Graham Slattery, highlighted this as a “game-changer,” emphasizing how seamless connectivity has improved fleet efficiency and reduced operational bottlenecks.

In addition, with access to real-time performance data, Yancoal’s teams have been able to enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency, seamlessly connecting with the corporate network from anywhere on site. This shift has not only increased productivity but has also positioned Yancoal as a leader in using cutting-edge connectivity solutions in mining.

The successful deployment of the MPN at Yancoal’s MTW site signals a new benchmark for the mining industry and other sectors requiring high-performance connectivity in challenging environments. Jonathan Rutherford, TPG Telecom’s Group Executive for Wholesale, Enterprise, and Government, stated that as industries like mining and manufacturing continue to automate, secure and reliable connectivity will become increasingly critical. TPG Telecom’s partnership with Yancoal demonstrates how purpose-built MPNs can address these needs and set new standards for connectivity, safety, and efficiency.

The Yancoal-TPG Telecom partnership showcases the potential of mobile private networks to enhance productivity and safety in mining operations. By expanding network coverage from 60% to 99% and enabling real-time management, TPG Telecom’s MPN has redefined what is possible for Yancoal’s MTW mine. As more industries recognize the transformative power of private networks, TPG Telecom’s model could become the new standard for connectivity solutions in resource-intensive sectors.

TPG's MPN solution brief is available here.

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