Telstra Mining Services is developing a 6.5km long 4G LTE network for South32’s Cannington mine, 87km south of McKinlay in North-West Queensland.

At full installation, it would be one of the largest underground mining LTE networks in the world using leaky feeder, Telstra said.

“The push towards increasing mechanisation and automation of mining operations in Australia has driven greater demand for improved connectivity through all areas of mines and their processing facilities,” Telstra Enterprise group executive Michael Ebeid said.

“These technologies – whether connecting staff, vehicles or sensors – require connections that are high throughput and low latency, and can ensure that critical control and monitoring systems can operate without interruption.

“The network will deliver real-time operational data for operating transparency, condition monitoring and production improvements.”

The private network will be able to be upgraded to 5G.

Telstra says a combination of Ericsson mobile network equipment, Telstra radio spectrum, and leaky feeder solutions from specialist manufacturer METStech provides a unique capability that has made extending LTE underground a more commercially realistic and safer prospect.

South32’s Cannington mine is an underground silver, lead and zinc operation.