JAMMU, Oct 12: Vi Business, the enterprise arm of telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi), has announced a strategic partnership with Hindalco Industries Limited to deploy a dedicated private network at the company’s Baphlimali Bauxite Mine in Rayagada district of Odisha, marking a significant step towards digital transformation and technology-driven mining operations.
The multi-year managed services project represents Hindalco’s first private network deployment and is aimed at developing a connected, intelligent and future-ready mining ecosystem in line with Industry 4.0 standards.
Baphlimali is one of Hindalco’s strategically important bauxite mining operations and supplies high-quality bauxite for its integrated aluminium value chain. The dedicated network will serve as the digital backbone for connected mining operations, providing secure and reliable connectivity across the mine.
The deployment will include the complete private network infrastructure, covering spectrum, core network, Radio Access Network (RAN) and managed services. It is expected to support several digital applications focused on worker safety, fleet management, drone and CCTV-based surveillance, real-time monitoring and operational efficiency.
A key component of the initiative will be an Integrated Command and Control Centre, designed to provide centralised visibility of mining activities, facilitate data-driven decision-making and strengthen operational monitoring. These capabilities are intended to improve workforce safety, enhance coordination and support more efficient mining operations.
M. P. Sunil Kumar, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Vi Business, said the partnership demonstrated the company’s ability to develop customised private network solutions for complex industrial environments.
“We are delighted to partner with Hindalco on this landmark initiative. This deployment underscores our capability to engineer customized private networks for complex industrial environments. By combining secure, high-performance connectivity with a scalable architecture, we are enabling the next generation of intelligent mining and supporting Hindalco’s long-term digital transformation vision,” he said.
Kailash Pandey, CEO, Aluminium Upstream, Hindalco Industries Limited, said digitalisation and Industry 4.0 technologies were central to the company’s plans to develop future-ready operations.
“At Hindalco, digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies are central to our vision of building future-ready operations. Our first dedicated Private network at Baphlimali will create a critical digital backbone for connected, automated, and data-driven mining operations. This initiative strengthens our journey towards safer, smarter, and more efficient mining, while reinforcing Hindalco’s position as a technology-led metals company,” Pandey said.
The collaboration brings together Vi Business’s enterprise connectivity expertise and Hindalco’s focus on technology-enabled mining. The initiative also reflects the growing adoption of dedicated digital infrastructure to modernise industrial operations, improve productivity and strengthen operational resilience.
The digital transformation initiative complements Hindalco’s focus on responsible mining. Baphlimali recently received Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard certification, recognising its alignment with internationally recognised environmental, social and governance standards.
The integration of advanced connectivity with responsible mining practices is expected to support the mine’s transition towards safer and more efficient operations. The project also aligns with the broader objective of strengthening India’s industrial competitiveness through digital technologies and future-ready infrastructure.
Vi Business said it remained committed to providing secure, scalable and resilient enterprise connectivity solutions to support industrial digitalisation, including applications related to automation, worker safety, productivity and real-time operational intelligence.