The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will benefit from reliable high-performance managed connectivity services delivered by SES Networks. The solution will be provided under an agreement with Ivanhoe Mines, a leading mineral exploration and development company, SES announced today.
The managed services and fibre-like connectivity from SES Networks will be powered by its O3b Medium Earth Orbit satellite fleet. It will enable operators on site to do video-conferencing with headquarters, use cloud-based applications to access and upload critical data, and improve overall productivity and safety.
“We employ leading-edge exploration and development technologies at our projects, and to make sure that these technologies are applied successfully, we need to get the right information to the right people at the right time,” said Steve Amos, Ivanhoe’s Head of Projects in the DRC. “We look forward to working with SES Networks to improve connectivity and communications at our mine sites in the DRC.”
“Ivanhoe Mines operates some of the most sophisticated mining operations in the world and demands leading-edge performance combined with state-of-the-art reliability,” said Carole Kamaitha, Vice President of Fixed Data Sales Africa at SES Networks. “The turnkey solution delivered via our unique infrastructure will enable the crew working at the Kamoa-Kakula site to leverage the latest applications, communicate effectively, and maximise their productivity.”
The Kamoa-Kakula mining project is the world’s largest undeveloped high-grade copper discovery. Located about 270 kilometres away from the provincial capital of Lubumbashi, the mine exploration covers a near-surface stratiform copper deposit with adjacent exploration areas within the Central African Copperbelt. The project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
