29 November 2023
Sudan, one of the largest gold-producing countries in the world, is home to many mining companies. In an increasingly competitive environment, mining corporations need to make decisions quickly to minimize risks to their business; however, these decisions can only be made after assessments of operational information from multiple sites. To gain competitive advantage, companies urgently require internet-based communication systems, which can facilitate transfer of data in real time.
However, mobile connectivity remains patchy across the country, with significant coverage gaps in both terrestrial broadband and mobile internet. Moreover, mining activity is mainly concentrated in areas unserved by cellular networks, leaving companies few options beyond satellite broadband to connect remote sites and manage operations. Such areas are generally inaccessible, rendering data transmission challenging - underground areas are difficult to access with traditional radio waves weakening and unable to penetrate obstacles and mine surfaces. Besides, there is a high probability of wired communication systems getting damaged in landslides or explosions.
Satellite networks have enabled mining companies to overcome all technological barriers and provide high-speed broadband to remotely based work teams. Satellite communications systems ensure that users can exchange real-time information regardless of location, thus accelerating the decision-making process.
Serving Sudan’s mines – from space
Early in 2021, a gold prospecting company approached YahClick for high-speed satellite broadband to link its multiple work sites, monitor onsite operations and dormitories.
The customer needed a robust and scalable solution capable of withstanding extreme conditions, while delivering uninterrupted communications as site maintenance of terrestrial systems is difficult in remote environments. Satellite broadband, public WiFi and Point-to-Point services to link multiple work sites and crew on the move, were part of the desired solution.
After discussion, it emerged that YahClick’s high-speed satellite broadband service could simultaneously serve the customer’s multiple sites and workgroups. Covering 180 remote locations, the project commenced in February 2021. By June, YahClick’s satellite broadband service was activated at 40 sites across Sudan.
Due to the remoteness of locations, transportation of terminals and other hardware proved to be difficult. Fuel shortage, vehicle malfunctions and non-availability of spare parts further complicated the deployment process. To expedite work, YahClick’s support personnel switched to travelling in convoys instead of solitary vehicles. Moreover, they ensured that the equipment had a stable power source in off-grid areas, working closely with the client’s IT department to set up the internal network and identify locations to install the terminals.
YahClick’s’ ecosystem consists of Ka-band links, Mikrotik routers, Mesh access points, network controllers, Point-to-Point access points and IP phones. YahClick has been commissioned to provide its services for five years.
Extending to local communities
As a result of the installation, internet is readily available in areas where it was previously non-existent. The mining company can now survey isolated belts and expand operations without worrying about lack of broadband connections. Satellite internet has considerably reduced the time and effort spent in exchanging information from remote camps to the headquarters.
“The availability of YahClick internet has greatly improved the lives of workers in the mining industry by boosting social communications with their families, enabling electronic banking services and helping overcome distances,” said a YahClick customer, Mohamed Sheikh El Din.
YahClick was able to create a highly responsive system that is contributing to the expansion of the client’s business, as well as the advancement of local communities. Internet usage has increased exponentially within the neighbouring communities, as satellite broadband is universally available. They now rely on YahClick to learn and reach out to the world through e-classrooms and other online platforms. YahClick’s solutions are simple to configure and easy to use, delivering internet everywhere, including the farthest outposts of Sudan, without complicated procedures or bill shocks.
“After installing YahClick’s satellite internet solution, we could successfully introduce modern systems for greater operational safety and secure data exchange at our mine that had previously been isolated from the world, as the nearest cellular network is 150 km away,” said a YahClick customer, Nizar El Tijani.
