Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Safety

    NTT remote mining at Codelco’s El Teniente: design and risk notes for engineers

    August 7, 2026|

    Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

    NTT remote mining at Codelco’s El Teniente: design and risk notes for engineers

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    Japanese telecommunications firm NTT Docomo Business is testing its IOWN All-Photonics Network at Codelco’s El Teniente, linking the underground mine to a remote operations centre in Rancagua about 1,500 km away to run heavy equipment and high-definition video over a high-capacity, low-latency optical network. The ministry-backed proof of concept targets remote operation, consolidation of control rooms and reduced underground exposure amid Codelco’s heightened focus on seismic risk after deeper Andes Norte studies revealed higher-than-expected hazards. If performance is proven, NTT plans to roll out IOWN-based remote operation models to other mining and energy projects globally.

    Technical Brief

    • NTT Docomo Business is trialling its IOWN All-Photonics Network (APN) specifically for heavy equipment teleoperation.
    • The proof-of-concept is commissioned and funded under Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
    • Management is explicitly targeting reduced underground exposure amid shortages of skilled equipment operators willing to work at depth.
    • NTT plans to port validated IOWN APN safety/remote-operation configurations to other mining and energy assets worldwide.

    Our Take

    Our recent coverage shows Codelco simultaneously pausing deep expansion at the Andes Norte section of El Teniente for up to two years over seismic concerns, so NTT Docomo Business’ remote‑operation work is likely being evaluated as part of a broader risk‑management rethink rather than a stand‑alone tech trial.

    With copper prices in our database hovering near record levels and tight physical supply repeatedly highlighted, any successful remote mining deployment at El Teniente in Chile could help Codelco stabilise output without pushing workers further into the higher‑risk deep zones flagged in July’s seismic studies.

    Japan’s involvement via NTT and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications aligns with other critical‑minerals security moves in our coverage, suggesting Tokyo is using remote‑operation know‑how at overseas copper assets like El Teniente to secure influence over upstream supply without direct ownership stakes.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Perpetua’s tungsten find at Stibnite: pit expansion and resource notes for mine planners
    Mining
    about 2 hours ago

    Perpetua’s tungsten find at Stibnite: pit expansion and resource notes for mine planners

    Perpetua Resources has reported a new gold‑tungsten discovery and multiple high‑grade gold intercepts between the Yellow Pine and West End reserve pits at its Stibnite gold‑antimony project in central Idaho, including scheelite-bearing intervals in the Clark Tunnel Fault Zone on the southeastern edge of the proposed Yellow Pine pit. Widely spaced drilling at the adjacent Huckleberry Fault Zone has outlined over 100 metres in width and 0.5 km of strike of gold mineralisation, while Hangar Flats drilling returned additional high‑grade gold plus antimony‑tungsten intercepts. The company aims to use these targets to extend pit limits and potentially grow beyond the current 3.1 Moz indicated and inferred gold and 99.8 Mlb antimony resources outside reserves, though work beyond the permitted plan may trigger further regulatory review.

    Luca’s Campo Morado drilling: mine-life and expansion signals for planners
    Mining
    about 2 hours ago

    Luca’s Campo Morado drilling: mine-life and expansion signals for planners

    New drilling at Luca Mining’s 2,500 t/d Campo Morado underground polymetallic mine in Guerrero, Mexico, is intersecting long, near-surface sulphide intervals in unmined zones adjacent to existing workings. Standout hole CMUG-26-50 at Largo Norte cut ~184 m from 3.6 m depth grading 1.18 g/t Au, 72.42 g/t Ag, 0.39% Cu, 0.45% Pb and 1.67% Zn, including 18 m at 2.64 g/t Au and 152.34 g/t Ag, while Naranjo hole CMNJ-26-02 returned 9.6 m at 4.05 g/t Au, 241.09 g/t Ag and 0.90% Cu from 175.3 m. With C$34 million budgeted for 80,000 m of drilling across Campo Morado and Tahuehueto and 16.6 Mt already in measured and indicated resources, these near-infrastructure intercepts point to incremental tonnes and mine-life extension ahead of a year-end expansion technical update.

    Avalon Nechalacho update: rare earth resource growth and PEA signals for mine planners
    Mining
    about 2 hours ago

    Avalon Nechalacho update: rare earth resource growth and PEA signals for mine planners

    An updated resource estimate for Avalon Advanced Materials’ Nechalacho Basal zone in the Northwest Territories lifts global contained rare earths by 42%, with measured and indicated resources now at 58.6 million tonnes grading 1.49% TREO and inferred resources more than doubling to 130.6 million tonnes at 1.31% TREO. The estimate applies a net metal return cut-off of $366.40 per tonne, 14% higher than in 2013, and draws on roughly 120,000 metres of drilling in 582 holes. A new PEA due in Q4 will revisit the 2013 feasibility metrics of 9,300 t/y TREO over 20 years, $1.3 billion post-tax NPV (8% discount) and $1.6 billion capex.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    Tunnelling

    Specialised solutions for tunnelling projects including grout mix design, hydrogeological analysis, and quality control.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalMiningInfrastructureMaterialsHazardsEnvironmentalSoftwarePolicy