Despite the heightened focus on sustainability in 2023, the global demand for energy continues to rise, leading to a reliance on polluting methods such as burning coal, oil, and natural gas. This is particularly evident in South Africa, where over 70% of energy output is derived from coal mines. However, the country is grappling with frequent power outages, known as load shedding, as it struggles to meet the electricity demand. With blackouts lasting over 16 hours, analysts estimate that South Africa needs an additional 6,000 MW to adequately power its populous nation.

To address South Africa's energy challenges, improving productivity through enhanced connectivity has been identified as a key solution for the mining industry. 5G technology has been heralded as transformative, offering operational efficiency, higher productivity, and improved safety measures. In collaboration with Canyon Coal, Huawei has implemented a private 5G network at the Phalanndwa colliery in South Africa. This initiative aims to enhance communication in real-time, equip workers and vehicles with proximity detection sensors, and enable tracking systems to prevent theft and enhance security.

The Phalanndwa colliery, operated by Canyon Coal, processes 120,000 tonnes of coal per month, equivalent to 1.7 million tons annually. The implementation of integrated 5G technology has significantly reduced risks across operations, enabling real-time communication among mine workers. The use of 5G-enabled proximity detection systems on machines and staff in the pits has contributed to a notable reduction in accidents, although specific figures were not disclosed.

While the Phalanndwa colliery is nearing the end of its operational life, the success of the connectivity project has provided valuable data to Canyon Coal. This success has given the company the confidence to commission further connectivity initiatives at another mine, with a vision of creating a "smart mine" utilizing Huawei's technology stack. The aim is to implement an improved detection system and remote-controlled excavators, enabling less skilled workers to safely operate machinery from a controlled environment.