Nokia Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, and Vale, a global mining giant based in Brazil, have announced a research agreement to implement a cognitive monitoring network service aimed at enhancing the performance, reliability, and safety of mining operations.
Building on their longstanding collaboration at Vale’s autonomous iron ore mine in Carajás, the world’s largest open-pit iron ore mine, the new service will use advanced network technologies to sense, think, and act proactively in hazardous environments. The technology is designed to support mission-critical communication and improve the safety and productivity of mining operations.
Future mission-critical networks will integrate cognitive services into nearly every layer, further enhancing operational efficiency. Nokia Bell Labs and Vale will work together to develop such systems, enabling more advanced mining operations and intelligent automated planning.
A key goal of the partnership is to create a digital twin for mission-critical operations in the mine. The cognitive monitoring network service will improve performance, reliability, and safety by analyzing data from various production systems—such as hauling trucks and autonomous drills—and correlating them with network performance indicators.
The project will leverage the Nokia Bell Labs NiX (Nokia Industrial eXperience) research platform, which led to the creation of Nokia’s Network Cognitive Digital Mine (CDM) venture. Nokia Bell Labs, a leader in connectivity innovation, and Vale, one of the world’s largest iron ore and nickel producers, are joining forces to revolutionize the mining industry.
Lelio Di Martino, General Manager of the Cognitive Digital Mine Venture at Nokia, emphasized that this collaboration marks the next phase in making mining safer and more productive. He highlighted that cognitive services will optimize mining processes and transform the way networks and mines are designed and operated.
Mario Azevedo, Global Manager of Engineering and Technology Projects at Vale, added that connectivity is key to improving the efficiency, safety, and performance of Vale’s operations. The partnership with Nokia Bell Labs will enable robust and consistent processes across IT and operational groups, ensuring real-time monitoring and process optimization to reduce downtime and enhance operational excellence.
