Hindalco Industries (NSE:HINDALCO) has partnered with Vi Business to deploy a private communications network at its Baphlimali Bauxite Mine in Odisha, India.
Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea (NSE:IDEA), announced the multi-year agreement on 8 October. It marks Hindalco’s first dedicated private network deployment.
The network is intended to support worker safety systems, fleet management, drone and CCTV surveillance, and real-time monitoring across the operation in Rayagada district.
The companies say the integrated command and control centres aim to allow teams to monitor and manage mining activities centrally.
The agreement covers radio spectrum, network infrastructure, and ongoing managed services. Vi has not disclosed the contract value or a commissioning timetable.
Hindalco Aluminium Upstream CEO Kailash Pandey says the network forms part of the company’s plans to expand its use of digital technology in mining.
“Our first dedicated Private network at Baphlimali will create a critical digital backbone for connected, automated, and data-driven mining operations,” he says.
Baphlimali supplies bauxite to the refinery operated by Hindalco subsidiary Utkal Alumina International. Hindalco reported annual mine production capacity of 8.5 million tonnes in August.
The mine also received Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard certification that month, covering mining, onsite crushing, and conveyor transport.
Hindalco is an Aditya Birla Group company with operations spanning bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and processing, and copper production.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Hindalco Industries
