DELIVERING A BESPOKE REMOTE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR IGO’S NOVA OPERATION
IGO is a leading Australian mining and exploration company focused on metals critical to clean energy, energy storage, and electrification. At its Nova Operation in remote Western Australia, limited bandwidth had become a constraint across both site operations and accommodation. CorpCloud partnered with IGO to design, construct, implement, and maintain a bespoke connectivity environment using a combination of MPLS, data centre, ISP internet, microwave, Wi-Fi, and satellite services. The result was a high-capacity network built around the realities of a remote mining operation and the needs of the people who rely on it every day.
About IGO
IGO is an ASX-listed Australian mining and exploration company focused on supplying metals needed for renewable energy, battery storage, and electrification. With operations in remote Western Australia, the business depends on reliable infrastructure that can support both operational demands and workforce needs.
At a site like Nova, connectivity is not simply an IT consideration. It helps keep operations running, supports communications across the site, and improves day-to-day life for people living and working in a remote environment.
The Challenge
At IGO’s Nova Operation, bandwidth had become a major limitation. Prior to engaging CorpCloud, the site had a maximum of 40 megabits, shared between the accommodation village and the mining operation itself.
That created pressure across both sides of the site environment. Operational needs had to compete with accommodation usage, and the limited capacity affected the overall experience for people relying on the network.
As Kevin D’Sylva, Group IT Manager at IGO, explains:
“IGO’s strategic focus is becoming a globally relevant supplier of clean energy metals required for energy storage and renewable energies. We had a particular issue where we couldn’t get enough bandwidth out to our Nova Operation. Prior to CorpCloud, we had a maximum of 40 megabits shared between our accommodation village and our operation.”
For IGO, the issue was not just speed. It was about whether the site had a connectivity solution robust enough to support a modern remote mining operation.
View the Case Study video below:
Kevin D’Sylva Group IT Manager for IGO talks about CorpCloud’s services
Why CorpCloud
IGO engaged CorpCloud to help design a solution tailored to the realities of the Nova Operation.
Rather than proposing a standard, one-size-fits-all setup, CorpCloud worked with IGO to build a bespoke connectivity environment aligned to the site’s operational needs, physical conditions, and remote location.
That approach stood out to IGO, particularly because the solution was shaped around the business itself rather than around an off-the-shelf product.
As Kevin explains:
“Jono and the team at CorpCloud really are partnering with IGO in helping us to design solutions, not just off-the-shelf solutions, but solutions that are bespoke for our business.”
What CorpCloud Delivered
CorpCloud delivered a multi-service remote connectivity solution for IGO’s Nova Operation, combining several technologies to create a more capable and resilient network environment.
MPLS Network
CorpCloud delivered an MPLS network to support reliable connectivity across the site environment and help create a stronger communications backbone for operational use.
Data Centre
Data centre services formed part of the broader infrastructure environment supporting the network solution, helping underpin a more dependable and scalable setup.
ISP Internet
CorpCloud provided ISP internet services to strengthen site connectivity and improve available bandwidth for both operational and accommodation requirements.
Microwave
Microwave formed a key part of the remote connectivity architecture, helping extend and support high-capacity communications in a mining environment where traditional infrastructure options can be limited.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi services helped improve access across the site and accommodation environment, contributing to a better day-to-day user experience for people living and working at Nova.
Satellite
Satellite connectivity formed part of the broader solution for remote site communications, supporting resilience and connectivity in a geographically challenging environment.
Together, these services supported the design and rollout of a 1 gigabit network, replacing the previous 40 megabit shared environment.
Project Delivery in Harsh Conditions
This was not a simple network deployment. The project had to be delivered in a remote mining environment under difficult conditions, including torrential rain and washed-out access tracks.
According to Kevin, CorpCloud exceeded expectations during the construction phase. Rather than allowing the weather to derail progress, the team adjusted the schedule and brought in extra earth-moving equipment so roads could be graded and vehicles could continue moving through the site.
“CorpCloud exceeded our expectations during the project construction phase. The team had to endure torrential rains. Rather than pack up and go home, they rejigged the schedule to make sure that they delivered the project on time, so they brought in extra earth-moving equipment to grade the roads and to allow the cranes and other vehicles to proceed on the washed-out tracks.”
This became an important part of the story: not just what was delivered, but how it was delivered.
The Outcome
CorpCloud helped IGO move from a heavily constrained shared bandwidth environment to a more capable and fit-for-purpose remote connectivity solution.
Key outcomes included:
- a major uplift from 40 megabits shared to a 1 gigabit network
- improved support for both operations and accommodation
- stronger connectivity across a remote mining environment
- positive feedback from mine operators and accommodation users
- improved ability for residents to stream and use online services more comfortably
- greater confidence in a bespoke solution built around the site’s needs
- ongoing support from a partner involved beyond the initial implementation
As Kevin explains:
“In the time that IGO has now been using this CorpCloud network, we’ve had positive feedback from both our mine operators and also the people that are in our accommodation that they’re now able to stream and do all the things that they need to do to make their life comfortable.”
Closing
IGO’s Nova project shows the value of a connectivity partner that can do more than simply install technology. In remote mining environments, the solution has to fit the site, the conditions, and the business.
By combining MPLS, data centre, ISP internet, microwave, Wi-Fi, and satellite services into a tailored solution, CorpCloud helped IGO build a stronger connectivity foundation for both operational performance and workforce experience.
If your organisation needs a bespoke connectivity solution for a remote or operationally complex environment, CorpCloud is ready to help.
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