Smart Mining | Rogers Unveils CoE at NORCAT

Rogers Communications together with NORCAT, a global leader in the development and provision of skilled labour training and innovation services, announced a five-year strategic relationship to accelerate technology adoption in the global mining industry.

Through this collaboration, Rogers will establish the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence at the NORCAT Underground Centre to bring innovative new solutions to life and increase efficiency, safety, and productivity in the global mining industry.

“As part of our commitment to driving leading-edge innovation within mining, construction, and other industrial sectors, our collaboration with NORCAT and the launch of the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence will foster unique opportunities to engage with likeminded organizations and emerging technology companies,” said Tom Turner, President, Rogers Business. “With this important investment, we will enable Canadian and global customers and partners, to develop, validate and implement their industrial automation ideas right here in Canada.”

The Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence will harness the power of Rogers 5G through a dedicated Wireless Private Network and accelerate adoption of transformative new technologies. As the global mining industry continues its journey of digital transformation, mining companies are embracing agile technologies to power safe, sustainable, and competitive solutions. Rogers Wireless Private Networks deliver enhanced coverage, ultra-low latency, and critical connectivity, enabling clients using the NORCAT Underground Centre to develop, test, and demonstrate scalable technologies. These technologies include tele-remote and autonomous operations, industrial IoT, asset tracking, and drone mapping among many other use cases.

“The NORCAT Underground Centre has proudly become the global destination to ‘see and touch’ all that is the future of mining technology and innovation. Using our ‘active laboratory,’ we connect and broker relationships between emerging technology companies and global mining companies, creating an ecosystem like no other in the world,” said Don Duval, NORCAT CEO. “We are excited to partner with Rogers to establish the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence and further validate our role to serve as the global one-stop shop for all that is the future of mining technology and innovation.”

In addition, Rogers will add a new 5G cell site and uplift an existing cell tower on its public network to bring 5G coverage to the NORCAT Underground Centre. These improvements will also deliver 5G connectivity to multiple communities in the northern region of the City of Greater Sudbury. This strategic relationship builds on Rogers commitment to foster innovation, enhance connectivity for rural and remote communities, create new jobs, and support the local economy.

Rogers is a leading Canadian technology and media company that provides communications services and entertainment to consumers and businesses.