Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea Limited, has partnered with Hindalco Industries Limited to deploy a dedicated private network at Hindalco’s Baphlimali bauxite mine in Rayagada district, Odisha. The project marks Hindalco’s first private network deployment and forms part of its digital transformation and Industry 4.0 programme.
The multi-year managed services agreement covers the complete private network infrastructure, including spectrum, core network, radio access network (RAN) and ongoing managed services. The network will provide secure and reliable connectivity across the mine, supporting the introduction of digital applications for mining operations.
Baphlimali is an important source of bauxite for Hindalco’s integrated aluminium business. The new network is intended to establish the digital infrastructure required to connect equipment, personnel and operational systems across the mining site. The deployment will support several applications, including worker safety systems, fleet management, drone-based surveillance, CCTV monitoring and real-time operational tracking. These applications are expected to improve visibility across the mine and help teams make decisions using operational data.
An Integrated Command and Control Centre will be a key part of the project. It will provide centralised monitoring and oversight of mining activities, allowing operational information to be brought together in one location. The system is intended to support faster responses to operational issues and improve coordination across the site.
MP Sunil Kumar, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Vi Business, said the partnership demonstrated the company’s ability to develop private network solutions for complex industrial environments. He said the network would provide a scalable connectivity foundation for Hindalco’s digital mining plans.
Kailash Pandey, CEO of Aluminium Upstream at Hindalco Industries Limited, said digitalisation and Industry 4.0 technologies were central to the company’s plans for its mining operations. He said the private network would support connected, automated and data-driven processes, with a focus on improving safety and operational efficiency.
The project also aligns with Hindalco’s focus on responsible mining. Baphlimali mine has received certification under the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard, which assesses environmental, social and governance practices in the aluminium value chain.
The partnership combines Vi Business’s enterprise connectivity capabilities with Hindalco’s plans to use digital technology in its mining operations. The companies expect the network to provide a foundation for additional applications as the mine’s digital systems develop.
Vi Business is the enterprise division of Vodafone Idea Limited, a telecommunications service provider in India. It offers connectivity, security and digital solutions for businesses across industries. Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. It operates across bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and downstream aluminium products, as well as copper production. Together with its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is a major global producer of flat-rolled aluminium products and a leading aluminium recycler.
