Celona has paired with mining firm Mariana Minerals to deploy a private 5G network across Mariana’s operations.

Celona notes that the deployment of a private 5G network builds the core connectivity infrastructure at Copper One, Mariana’s fully operational copper mine and refinery in southeastern Utah.

Founded in 2019, Celona offers a 5G LAN platform to help organizations deploy, operate, and integrate a 5G cellular network within existing infrastructures.

Back in 2022, DigitalBridge Ventures led a $60 million Series C funding round in California-based Celona.

This network utilizes Celona's 5G LAN, which will provide Mariana with low-latency performance across equipment, sensors, and Edge systems operating throughout the mine.

Traditional mining networks have typically relied on legacy WiFi and manual data collection instead.

Data collected over the private 5G network will flow continuously into MarianaOS, the company's software-defined mining platform.

The private network will enable MarianaOS to transmit optimized drill patterns to autonomous drilling equipment while tracking and orchestrating self-driving haul trucks and support equipment with high precision. Private 5G also allows a single operator to remotely manage multiple autonomous drills.

“Modern mining requires more than automation – it requires deterministic, secure connectivity between every system in the operation,” said Rajeev Shah, co-founder and CEO of Celona. “By deploying 5G LAN at Copper One, Mariana is building the critical infrastructure needed to support AI-driven operations at scale.”

At present, the US imports approximately 50 percent of its refined copper. Domestic demand for refined copper is projected to nearly double by 2035, driven by AI infrastructure, energy storage, defense systems, electric vehicles, and grid modernization.

Mariana points out that through utilizing a private 5G network, the company is able to run a modern mining operation. The company claims it's able to provide "consistent, high-bandwidth coverage across the terrain of Copper One, enabling continuous data collection, improved asset tracking, and faster response to operational changes."

According to Mariana, this improved data foundation will bolster productivity, reduce downtime, and enable more coordinated, efficient operations across the site.

“The US has a copper problem and a narrow window to fix it,” said Turner Caldwell, co-founder and CEO of Mariana Minerals. “Celona 5G LAN gives us the connectivity foundation required to run a modern mining operation – one where every asset is connected and every decision is driven by real-time data.”