Delta Solutions Brings Industry 4.0 to Mining

Q: How has radio technology changed since the company started and how is it helping the industry to move toward Industry 4.0?
A: Delta Solutions has been in business for 35 years and we have seen technology evolve dramatically. In the beginning, adaptation to technology was slow but, in recent years, surprisingly, it has accelerated, with telecommunications evolving at great speed. However, the mining sector is resistent when it comes to adopting these technological changes, which generates technological gaps between large and small companies.

We believe there are missed opportunities in the mining sector to provide greater security and reliability to companies. For example, 5G and LTEinnovation can propel the mining sector toward Industry 4.0. However, for a variety of reasons, companies have not been able to integrate these technologies. One of the challenges has been the remote location of mining companies, aggravated by legal issues in Mexico. However, this is being addressed. 

In 2001, the Federal Telecommunications Institute created a Technical Committee for the deployment of 5G in Mexico. This committee is a nonbinding technical support body that has allowed interaction between the Institute, industry, academia, public educators and anyone interested in sharing their perspective on this technology.

At Delta, we have been studying 5G innovation so that our solutions meet all quality requirements and, above all, help companies to move into Industry 4.0. We expect to deliver a powerful 5G network solution for the mining industry before the end of the year. This solution will provide enough bandwidth to adapt to any location in the country.

Q: How does the company's alliance with Motorola improve the company’s offer?
A: From the beginning, we have worked with great allies such as Motorola, which is a world leader in telecommunications. Over the past six years, we have been labeled as their best partner at the national level, which demonstrates our commitment to innovation.

With Motorola and other software companies, we have greatly diversified our portfolio of electronic security products and services. Our goal is to bolster our capacity to detect any problem or situation through artificial intelligence. In addition, we seek to offer better corrective and predictive maintenance to solve problems, save resources and, above all, safeguard the life of all workers in the mining industry.

Q: How has radio technology changed since the pandemic?
A: The pandemic took us out of our comfort zone. As we did not have an end date for the pandemic, we started looking for solutions, especially for those customers that could not work without communications.

 Telecomunications are key for mining companies because if something goes wrong and it is not communicated effectively, production stops and huge losses are generated. As a result, we developed a remote maintenance program, in which companies can constantly monitor all their systems and detect possible failures without having to be physically there. In addition, this program also corrects remotely and, if necessary, a service crew can be sent.

Today, digital systems are more advanced. For example, gas detectors are connected to the radio via Bluetooth, which allows mining companies to act quickly. Previously, miners had a device and monitored it. However, due to the helmet they wear, alerts were sometimes not heard. Recognizing an area of opportunity, we linked this device to a radio that sends the gas detection signal to a monitoring center.

Q: Why is the mining sector taking longer than other industries to adapt to Industry 4.0?
A: There is indeed inertia and resistance to change due to two external variables. One is the comments in the newspapers against mining and its laws. Above all, changes in the granting of concessions have provoked fear, thus hindering investment. Normally, an investment in Industry 4.0 systems is recovered once the project starts production, which is about seven to nine years into the project, which is not so attractive to companies. Another obstacle is the exchange rate, which sometimes favors us but is now making companies lose money as they sell everything in dollars. 

Right now, our focus is on mining leaders who can really see beyond the uncertainty. They have adapted quickly to technology by investing a great deal in our solutions. For junior companies, we offer the best solution according to their budget.

Q: In the long term, what does the future of mining communications look like?
A: I see two trends: 5G and low-orbit satellites. The latter is disruptive for mining because it will allow greater security through the optimization of facial recognition processes, searching for people's data and intrusion detection, among other solutions. We have already advanced in the study of these drones, so we hope to be able to release them soon to help the industry. 

In 10 years, the first mines with remote vehicular access and drilling will be operating, without the need for personnel inside the mine.

Q: What should the mining industry expect from the company for the remainder of the year?
A: Delta always seeks to provide knowledge and support regarding telecommunications. Our solutions seek, above all, to improve productivity, competitiveness and safety. We are now waiting to release our two test models for 5G and orbit satellites. Once approved by our technical departments, we will start testing them with an important mine. Once this step is done and everything goes well, we will launch it to the market.
 

Delta Solutions has 35 years of experience in communications, electronic security, localization and vehicle equipment. It distributes world-renowned brands.