Japanese telecommunications and information technology company NTT Docomo Business has launched a study to determine whether a next-generation optical communications network can safely support remote operation of equipment at Codelco’s El Teniente copper mine, about 1,500 km from its control centre. The project will evaluate whether the high-capacity, low-latency network can support remote operation of heavy mining equipment, high-definition video monitoring, consolidation of operations centres and a new remote operating model. “Through this initiative, NTT also aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency in the copper mining industry while creating new use cases for IOWN APN across the entire mining sector,” the company said. Growing urgencyThe project comes as Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, faces mounting operational challenges at El Teniente. If successful, the trial could expand the use of optical networking technology across the mining industry.