--- title: "Mining: frontier | Nexus Observatory" description: "Frontier technologies for mining and resources: Slope and tailings stability, Dust, gas and methane, Water discharge and Coverage underground and in the pit." url: https://observatory.global/industries/mining/frontier/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-11-02 --- Mining: the mine measured from pit to tailings: what is moving at the frontier. [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Mining](https://observatory.global/industries/mining/) / **Frontier** # Mining, at the frontier. What is moving now in the technologies this industry runs on, each item traced to the specification or standard behind it. [Plan with us](https://observatory.global/industries/mining/contact/) [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/mining/use-cases/) Reference design, drawn to scale · drag to turn **01** Frontier ## The technologies moving now. Ranked by how closely each serves what this industry needs to observe. Each item names the specification or standard it is drawn against. **Frontier** · Core and transport networks · Fibre and optical transport ### Distributed fibre sensing Using telecom fibre as a sensor for vibration, temperature and strain along its route. IEC 61757 (fibre optic sensors) **Frontier** · Remote sensing and Earth observation · Radar, lidar and microwave sensors ### GNSS reflectometry Reflected navigation signals for ocean wind, soil moisture and flood extent from low-cost receivers. WMO OSCAR/Space **Frontier** · Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum monitoring and interference management ### Distributed low-cost SDR sensor networks Many inexpensive receivers at sites forming a continuous spectrum picture. Rec. ITU-R SM.1880 · ITU Handbook on Spectrum Monitoring **Frontier** · Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum monitoring and interference management ### Machine-learning signal classification Models that recognise signal types and anomalies in monitoring data. ITU Handbook on Spectrum Monitoring **Frontier** · Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access ### Optical ground stations Laser downlink terminals that relieve radio spectrum limits, with weather-diverse site networks. CCSDS 141.0-B (optical communications physical layer) **Frontier** · Power, energy and ruggedisation · Energy management and monitoring ### Forecast-driven predictive energy management Using weather and load forecasts to plan charge and generator runs days ahead. IEC 61850-7-420 **Frontier** · In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### Event-based and neuromorphic cameras Sensors that report changes per pixel at microsecond rates with very low power. EMVA 1288 (reference for characterisation) **Frontier** · Satellite and space systems · Tracking, telemetry and command and space safety ### Rendezvous, proximity operations and on-orbit servicing Inspection, refuelling, life extension and removal missions that change how space assets are maintained. ISO 24330:2022 (RPO and on-orbit servicing) **Frontier** · AI systems · Time-series and sensor AI ### Virtual and soft sensors Estimating quantities that are not measured directly from other sensors and models, labelled as estimates. W3C SOSA/SSN ontology **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### IMT-2030 framework The ITU vision for 6G: usage scenarios, capabilities and timelines that shape the next decade of networks. Rec. ITU-R M.2160 **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### 3GPP 6G studies Release 20 studies defining 6G use cases, requirements and radio and system design. 3GPP TR 22.870 (6G use cases and service requirements) **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) Using the radio network itself to detect and measure objects and environment alongside data service, under privacy rules. 3GPP TR 22.837 (ISAC feasibility study) · 3GPP TS 22.137 (ISAC service requirements) · 3GPP TR 23.700-14 (sensing architecture study) **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### AI-native air interface Air interface components designed around learned models rather than fixed algorithms. Rec. ITU-R M.2160 · 3GPP TR 38.843 (AI/ML for the NR air interface) **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### Sub-terahertz links Links above 100 GHz for very high capacity over short distances and fixed backhaul. IEEE 802.15.3d (252–325 GHz) **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### Ubiquitous terrestrial and non-terrestrial coverage 6G designed from the start to include satellites and HAPS as part of the radio access. Rec. ITU-R M.2160 · 3GPP TR 22.870 **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · 6G and integrated sensing and communication ### Energy-efficient and sustainable 6G Network designs that scale energy with load and report energy per bit as a first-class metric. Rec. ITU-R M.2160 · 3GPP TR 22.870 **Frontier** · Core and transport networks · Network automation and intent ### Network digital twins A live model of the network for what-if analysis before changes go live. ITU-T Y.3090 (digital twin network) **Frontier** · Remote sensing and Earth observation · Optical, spectral and thermal sensors ### Solar-induced fluorescence Retrieval of the faint fluorescence of photosynthesis as a direct signal of plant stress. CEOS WGCV Land Product Validation subgroup **Frontier** · Satellite and space systems · Earth observation payload classes ### On-board processing and AI for EO In-orbit screening, compression and detection that downlink results instead of raw data and shorten time to alert. CCSDS 122.0-B (image data compression) · CCSDS 123.0-B **Frontier** · Ground segment · Earth station spectrum coordination and interference ### Satellite and terrestrial spectrum sharing Studies and tools for satellite services sharing mobile bands, including direct-to-device. ITU WRC-27 agenda item 1.13 (Resolution 253 (WRC-23)) **Frontier** · IoT, LPWAN and mesh · Satellite IoT and non-terrestrial networks ### Store-and-forward satellite IoT Regenerative satellites that hold uplinked data until a ground station is in view. 3GPP Rel-19 IoT-NTN store-and-forward work item **Frontier** · IoT, LPWAN and mesh · Satellite IoT and non-terrestrial networks ### NR NTN and direct-to-device 5G NR links from satellites to standard devices, including RedCap over NTN in Rel-19. 3GPP TS 38.300 (Rel-17 NR NTN) · 3GPP TR 38.821 (NR NTN solutions) **Frontier** · IoT, LPWAN and mesh · Satellite IoT and non-terrestrial networks ### LoRa-class links to satellites LPWAN modulations received by satellites for remote sensors with very small payloads. LoRaWAN Regional Parameters RP002 (LR-FHSS) **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks · NR bands, duplexing and synchronisation ### FR2-2 (52.6–71 GHz) Rel-17 extension into the 60 GHz range for short-range, very wide channels. 3GPP TS 38.101-2 (Rel-17) · 3GPP TS 38.300 ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for mining. The form names who receives your details. 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