en.Wedoany.com Reported - NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS (formerly NTT Communications), in collaboration with Chile's state-owned copper company CODELCO, has launched a research and proof-of-concept initiative aimed at advancing remote operations at CODELCO's copper mines using the IOWN® All-Photonics Network (APN). This initiative is part of a research project commissioned by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Under the project plan, the IOWN APN will connect the El Teniente mine with a remote operations center located in the central Chilean city of Rancagua, a distance of approximately 1,500 kilometers. The two parties will assess the feasibility of remotely operating heavy machinery via high-capacity, low-latency communication links, enhance remote monitoring with high-definition video, and implement remote operation models.

Chile is one of the world's leading copper producers, and CODELCO is one of the country's leading copper producers. In recent years, improving mine safety and operational efficiency has become a management priority. Due to the risk of collapse in underground mines, harsh on-site working conditions, and a shortage of skilled operators, there is growing demand for remote operation of heavy machinery in underground mines, the adoption of more advanced mine operation monitoring, and more efficient centralized management of operational functions across multiple mines.

As planned, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will work with NTT DATA to evaluate the communication environment required to support remote operation of heavy equipment, enhance remote monitoring using high-definition video, assess network configurations with a view to consolidating the number of operations centers, verify the feasibility of remote operation models, and study the potential benefits of the IOWN APN for mine operations.

Through this project, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS also plans to improve safety and operational efficiency in the copper mining industry and create new use cases for the IOWN APN across the broader mining sector. Building on the experience gained from this project, the company will further explore application potential in mining, energy, and other fields requiring remote operations. In the future, the company will also collaborate with NTT Inc., which is advancing the development and practical deployment of IOWN technology, to leverage project outcomes in expanding NTT Group's IOWN use cases globally.