A research agreement announced between Nokia Bell Labs and Brazil-based Vale aims to implement a cognitive monitoring network for mining.

The network will use data from mine production systems including haul trucks and autonomous drillers to enhance the performance, reliability and safety of mining operations.

The agreement builds on an existing partnership at Vale’s autonomous iron ore mine in Carajás, Brazil. Located in the state of Pará, Carajás is the largest open-pit iron ore mine in the world, with an estimated 4.19 billion tonnes of iron ore reserves. The mine produced 76.7 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore in 2023, according to GlobalData.

“This collaboration between Nokia Bell Labs and Vale is the next step in making the mining industry safer and more productive,” explained Lelio Di Martino, general manager, Cognitive Digital Mine Venture at Nokia.

“Mines are complex, multi-domain and multi-stakeholder operations where low agility and high uncertainty can significantly impact profitability,” he added.

According to the Finland-based company, future mission-critical networks are expected to include cognitive monitoring services “in almost every layer".

Nokia Bell Labs and Vale will collaborate to develop such systems to enable future operations and to automate planning intelligence. This will involve creating a holistic digital twin for mission-critical connected operations in the mine.

Mario Azevedo, global manager of engineering and technology projects at Vale, said: “Connectivity is a key enabler for enhancing our operations at Vale, driving improvements in efficiency, safety and performance."

He added that the project will allow Vale to “ensure more robust and consistent processes across IT and operational groups, implement real-time monitoring for a safer working environment, and optimise processes to reduce downtime and increase efficiency".

In 2023, Vale was the world’s largest iron ore producer, with an output totalling 321.15mt, approximately 12% of global production.