• No Accountability for Asset Movement: Banpu had no way to track the location and status of their mining trucks along the routes between the mines and stocking facilities.

• Employee Safety Concerns: The company needed a solution to monitor the well-being of workers in isolated areas with no existing connectivity.
• Environmental Monitoring Requirements: Mining operations require continuous monitoring of weather conditions, land movement, and air quality to maintain safety standards.
• Limited Connectivity: The remote nature of the mining region rendered traditional connectivity solutions impractical, creating an urgent need for a comprehensive wireless system that could support real-time monitoring and communications.

Banpu turned to ICT, who partnered with Veea to provide a comprehensive, cost-effective, and scalable solution. Veea’s hyperconverged edge network combined with IoT gateway capabilities proved to be the perfect fit to address Banpu’s unique needs.

ICT and Veea developed and implemented the following components:

• Bi-Directional WiFi: Reliable wireless connectivity was established from the mine entrance along the roadways to the stocking facilities, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
• IoT Gateways and LoRaWAN Sensors: Veea’s multi-purpose hubs, integrated with LoRaWAN sensors, were deployed to track and monitor weather stations, land movement, and PM2.5 dust levels.
• Edge Computing: Veea’s solution also enabled edge computing capabilities, allowing real-time data processing and decision-making at the edge, reducing latency and improving operational efficiency.
• IoT Meshing and Cloud Connectivity: With IoT meshing, Veea’s hubs created a robust network that could extend the reach of connectivity across the mining operations. The system also connected seamlessly to the cloud, enabling long-term data storage and analysis.

A proof of concept (PoC) was conducted at one of Southeast Asia’s largest coal and gas mining sites in East Kalimantan. After extensive testing, including WiFi performance evaluations, LoRaWAN predictions, and feeding various sensors into ChirpStack, ICT and Banpu successfully implemented Veea’s solution.

Veea’s hyperconverged edge network solution provided Banpu with the comprehensive connectivity and IoT infrastructure needed to overcome the challenges of operating in a remote mining environment. By improving asset tracking, enhancing safety, and reducing operational costs, Veea’s solution not only addresses Banpu’s current needs but also positions the company for future advancements in mining technology.

• Real-Time Tracking and Accountability: Mining trucks are now tracked in real-time, allowing Banpu to maintain accountability and visibility of high-value assets.
• Improved Safety and Security: With cameras, environmental sensors, and continuous connectivity, Banpu has enhanced its ability to monitor the safety and security of employees, even in remote regions.
• Reduced Operational Costs: Veea’s hyperconverged edge network helped reduce deployment costs by integrating multiple functions—connectivity, IoT gateways, edge computing, and cloud access—into a single hub.
• Future-Ready Infrastructure: The flexible, scalable solution provided by Veea opens the door for future enhancements, including advanced IoT applications and further automation.