Bell and MacLean have announced a partnership focused on improving automation, autonomy, and connectivity in underground mining vehicles. The goal is to improve equipment performance, worker safety, and sustainability by reducing emissions.

A new Bell Private Mobile Network (PMN) was installed at MacLean’s Research & Training Facility in Sudbury, Ontario. This is a dedicated, secure 5G/LTE connection that supports advanced mining vehicle testing and development, enabling remote operations and real-time data monitoring.

“Bell’s private mobile network will allow MacLean to drive the modernization of mining operations in Canada supporting the interoperability of equipment, safer environments for all workers, and fostering a more sustainable future through the enablement of battery electric mining vehicles. Our collaboration will support the opportunity for innovative Canadian Internet of Things solutions providers to test and modify their solutions to perform at the exacting standards required in rugged, real-world mining conditions in MacLean’s Centre of Excellence,” said Costa Pantazopoulos, VP Product, Bell, in a statement on Tuesday.

The new Centre of Excellence at the site will improve vehicle controls, allowing for more precise coordination of machines underground. The hope is to create mining vehicles that can operate autonomously or semi-autonomously, minimizing human exposure to hazardous conditions (*cough, I think I’m coming down with the black lung, pop*).