5G Transformation Hub
China Telekom
Responding to the state’s call to build intelligent coal mines, and also wider industry trends, Zhunneng Group launched the ‘5G + Smart Mining Application’ project in the middle of 2021.
The harsh and complex production environment of Zhunneng’s open-pit coal mines has resulted in a high rate of occupational diseases among workers and a great number of accidents.
5G solutions can help ensure the intrinsic production safety of open-pit mines and improve operational efficiency.
By deploying a 5G core network respectively in Zhunneng Group’s Heidaigou and Haerwusu coal mines, the project ensured stable, secure, and reliable network signal backhaul of 103 5G macrocells to enable low-latency access to the the unmanned driving application platform by more than 200 mining trucks, 40 electric shovels and 1,000 auxiliary vehicles.
Zhunneng have discovered several best practices for future 5G implementations to mining as well as a number of future digital projects to build on existing enhancements.
China Telecom, Huawei, Zhunneng Group
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In 2021, as part of Zhunneng Group’s ‘5G + Smart Mining Application’ they began using 5G to modernise mining operations at its two sites in Heidaigou and Haerwusu.
This involved bringing automation and remote control to 200 mining trucks, 40 electric shovels, and 1,000 auxiliary vehicles. By using 5G networks in conjunction with AI, HD video, big data, and cloud computing, Zhunneng Group’s coal mines have achieved intelligent operations, ubiquitous connectivity, and precise control of production lines. This has resulted in using 5G to improve applications such as unmanned driving, remote control, intelligent coal mining, and intelligent inspection, all of which are helping improve the safety and efficiency in open-pit mines.
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This 5G project has become one of the largest of its kind in China, and even the world, transforming operations and the personal safety of its workers. In implementation, Zhunneng discovered three key recommendations for similar projects:
Accurate business profiling of terminal-side applications is a key input to support precise planning of 5G networks.
Feasibility should be considered during
network planning and design, and
toB network planning requires
customised network schemes
for specific industries and scenarios.
Risks should be
identified in advance
of the delivery stage,
with a risk response
plan formulated
by stakeholders to
ensure quality is
maintained.
04
Zhunneng have identified the following steps as the next part of their digital transformation:
By introducing 3D modelling of the sites’ premises, Zhunneng will be able to enhance the how their 5G networks are developed and maintained and add additional functionality such as personnel and vehicle positioning.
5G has made it possible for the mines to implement enhanced video tracking which will add decimetre-level positioning to significantly improve electronic fence monitoring over blasting areas, conveyor belts and other dangerous operating areas.
Zhunneng will be introducing an intelligent management platform which will standardise the data formats of different production subsystems to improve management and operation efficiency.
The project plans to
implement 5G edge clouds
in the mining data centres to
save investment in hardware
equipment, improve on-site
operation and maintenance,
and ensure rapid deployment
and release of new services
and new applications.
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GSMA 5G Transformation Hub
The GSMA 5G Transformation Hub is a source of information on some of the most innovative 5G solutions in the world. This portal contains case studies detailing design, benefits, key players, measured value and the future impact of scaling up these 5G solutions worldwide. The 5G Era is now firmly established and this family of standardised GSM technologies, including mmWave, are being rolled out successfully across the globe. The GSMA 5G Transformation Hub, launched at MWC Barcelona in 2022, provides details of how 5G is best placed to deliver real value for a range of key sectors including manufacturing, energy, transportation, media and live entertainment, smart cities and construction.. Many more case studies will be added, in the coming months, covering even more industries and the GSMA is asking Members to nominate innovative 5G case studies to add to this global digital showcase. The 5G Transformation Hub and this particular Case Study are both sponsored by Qualcomm.
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