MTN and Huawei to help power Southern Africa’s first 5G-enabled smart metal mine

In a recent announcement, Nkwe Platinum and South Africa Zijin Platinum have disclosed that they have come into a partnership with Huawei and MTN to build the Southern Africa region’s first 5G-enabled smart metal mine.

For more than 20 years, the Zijin Mining Group has regarded scientific and technological innovation as its primary driving force, becoming one of the few multinational mining companies in the world to be equipped with autonomous system technology and engineering management capabilities, with a well-established scientific research system and practice platform.

In May 2021, at the mine launch, we stated we would build the Zijin Garatau Platinum Mine into a project with advanced technology, solid safety and environmental protection practices. The adoption of this 5G smart mining solution will certainly enable the Zijin Mining Group to deliver on that promise, and to establish the mine’s technology-led global competitiveness.

The development of metal minerals is laborious and technical work. Therefore, the Zijin Mining Group regards ‘informatisation’ and intelligence as key strategic directions, and actively explores technical solutions that can improve the safety, process automation and benefits of mining.

The Zijin Garatau Platinum Mine in South Africa is one of the Zijin Mining Group’s major overseas projects. The collaboration with MTN and Huawei will help the Zijin Mining Group build its first high-tech and safe overseas smart mine, brimming with socio-economic value, from the initial stage of construction. We will also work hard to promote sustainable development in Africa.

Fan Zhiyu, MD and CEO, Nkwe Platinum
Smart mining continues to be a buzzword in South Africa. At MTN Business, we are excited to be playing a leading role in this space by using our world-class network and systems to promote the growth and sustainability of our enterprise customers. 5G technology is a game-changer that will transform old mining processes.

We have invested over R50 billion in modernising our network for the past five years. This investment has put MTN in a greater position to offer cutting-edge, faster and seamless connectivity to its customers. The partnership will see all parties involved reaping the benefits of our best network.

Digital transformation has become a global trend across numerous industries, and 5G has undoubtedly accelerated this,” notes Peng Song, president of Huawei Global Carrier Marketing & Solution.

We feel very excited to work with Zijin and MTN to open Southern Africa’s first 5G metal smart mine.

Huawei is currently bringing its 5G-based ICT solutions into the mining industry and building a cross-industry ecosystem to continuously improve network connectivity to help telcos maximise network value, and also help the mining industry build safe and smart mining projects through the capabilities of 5GtoB.

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