MIND ID Group Operates the First 5G Underground Smart Mining Technology in Southeast Asia

Papua, 1 September 2022 – MIND ID or Mining Industry Indonesia, the Holding State-Owned Enterprise for the Mining Industry, with members PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Inalum (Persero) dan PT Timah Tbk, is committed to continuous innovation and undertake efforts to improve sustainability. This commitment was shown by PT Freeport Indonesia, in collaboration with Telkomsel, in making the 5G Underground Smart Mining a reality.

The collaboration has made PTFI and Telkomsel as pioneers in the application of the first 5G Smart Mining technology in Southeast Asia to support digitalization and transformation of the mining industry operations in Indonesia. The 5G Underground Smart Mining will support the automation and remote control to promote work safety and productivity in mining at PTFI. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the technology, the event of which was also attended by Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Minister of Investment, Minister of State Secretariat, MIND ID President Director, President Commissioner and PTFI President Director.

In his speech, President Jokowi said that, “We cannot lag behind in the latest development which is becoming more digitalized. The same goes for the mining sector, to immediately implement the technology to support mining operations. Geographically and connectivity are difficult challenges that need to be faced, however, today we have proven that we are capable of becoming the first in Southeast Asia.”

The 5G Underground Smart Mining Technology has allowed PTFI to monitor and prevent the risks of accidents on the job, through the optimalization of camera connected to artificial intelligence.  Moreover, the Hyperconnected Network which is a combination of the Telkomsel Private Network and Edge Computing, is able to provide more artificial intelligence benefits for the company in optimizing the application of Smart Mining.

MIND ID’s President Director, Hendi Prio Santoso, said that: “The commitment of the MIND ID Group to continually innovate and make sustainability improvements is in line with the AKHLAK or basic culture of State Enterprises in the aspect of Competency and also as a manifestation of the Company’s commitment in implementing good mining practice.”

The adoption of the 5G Underground Smart Mining Technology at PTFI mine has gone through the verification and network testing phase to ensure that the technology is the best solution for PTFI operations, as well as help the company in the digitalization of its underground mining operations. Smart Mining itself constitutes the latest technology to drive mining optimalization through the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, IoT (Internet of Things), Machine Learning, to Big Data, which can be adopted in the operations of the mining sector.

Examples of the superior benefits in the adoption of Smart Mining supported by 5G technology are, among others, the provision of low latency which will support the monitoring process of activities in real time, in which all data can be integrated to produce a safer working process.  The speed in obtaining data impacts the speed in making decisions, thereby providing better experience to mining operators.  Moreover, the more expanded 5G network coverage with more connected device capacity, is expected to produce more efficient costs in mining operations.

The 5G Underground Smart Mining technology is also encouraging the adoption of more environmentally friendly technology, as the 5G network will enable devices to operation with lesser emission, thereby reducing the impact on the environment.

“The adoption of the 5G Underground Smart Mining technology is expected to become an example to be implemented in other mining areas.  MIND ID has proven in its business operations, that it has complied with the mandate of the Government, which is to become a World Class Company in the mining industry. Moreover, the launching of the 5G technology is also in line with MIND ID’s Noble Purpose, We explore natural resources for civilization, prosperity and a brighter future,” concluded Hendi.