CityUHK and CCTEG collaborate to advance 6G applications for enhanced coal mining safety
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is dedicated to transforming innovative research into practical solutions that address global challenges through strategic industry-academia-research collaboration. On 9 April, a high-level delegation from the China Coal Technology and Engineering Group (CCTEG) visited CityUHK to formalise in-depth collaboration with the University and the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves (SKLTMW). The partnership aims to integrate cutting-edge 6G communication and intelligent technologies to address critical safety pain points and enhance safety in the mining industry.
The CCTEG delegation was led by Mr Hu Shanting, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCTEG. Members included Mr Wang Yunpeng, Deputy General Manager of Tiandi Science & Technology and General Manager of its International Branch; Mr Wang Haijun, Party Secretary, Board Member and General Manager of the Coal Research Institute; Mr Tian Hua, Party Secretary, Chairman and Director of the China Coal Research Institute Changzhou Automatization Research Institute; and Ms Zhao Chen, Deputy General Manager of Tiandi Science & Technology International Branch.
The delegation was warmly received by CityUHK senior management, including Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor; Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research); Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) and Director of the SKLTMW; Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation; Professor Li Lishuai, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research); Professor Lu Jian, Dean of the College of Engineering; and Dr Eva Lui, Director of the Research Grants and Contracts Office.
The visit began with an exchange session, where the delegation gained insights into CityUHK’s initiatives and achievements in driving research and innovation. Subsequently, witnessed by President Boey and Mr Hu, Professor Shum and Professor Chan, representing CityUHK and the SKLTMW respectively, signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Mr Wang, representing CCTEG.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the strategic partnership by integrating highly reliable communication technologies with intelligent innovations for coal mining applications. Both parties will enhance research and application in areas such as communications networks, Web3.0, integrated sensing and communications, and artificial intelligence (AI). It also aims to accelerate the deployment of 5G-A/6G, next-generation antenna technologies and nano-sensing, while exploring the establishment of a joint laboratory to expedite the industrialisation of scientific achievements.
“The CCTEG is a leading enterprise in the national coal technology and engineering sector, with profound industry expertise,” said President Boey. “This collaboration synergises CityUHK’s top-tier research capabilities with CCTEG’s practical experience. By focusing on frontiers such as AI, new materials, green energy and highly reliable communications, we aim to jointly promote safety and sustainability in the industry, setting a new benchmark for industry-academia-research collaboration.”
Mr Hu stated that the CCTEG is a pioneer in the national coal industry’s technological advancement. With its robust innovative capabilities, the Group has been responsible for the design of more than 80% of the country’s mines and has spearheaded over 85% of industry standards, successfully positioning national coal mining safety at the forefront of the global arena. He expressed his expectation that the partnership would leverage CityUHK’s telecommunications research excellence and CCTEG’s industrial strengths to significantly enhance mine intelligence and safety, contributing to national energy security and long-term development.
Current communication technologies face significant limitations in extreme deep-mine environments due to signal interference and high latency. However, CityUHK aims to adapt its successful expertise in 6G and terahertz technologies from surface applications to underground environments. Professor Chan noted that because signal propagation characteristics in deep mines differ from those on the surface, and given the substantial electromagnetic interference during operations, the collaboration between CityUHK and the CCTEG will focus on optimising antenna coverage and mitigating noise. This will enhance communication stability within mines, thereby strengthening industrial safety and effectively reducing the risk of mining accidents.
The delegation also visited the SKLTMW and the “Prototyping:” exhibition at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery to learn more about the CityUHK’s outstanding achievements in communications technology and innovation.
Media enquiries:
Him Chak, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 6807)
The CCTEG delegation was led by Mr Hu Shanting, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCTEG. Members included Mr Wang Yunpeng, Deputy General Manager of Tiandi Science & Technology and General Manager of its International Branch; Mr Wang Haijun, Party Secretary, Board Member and General Manager of the Coal Research Institute; Mr Tian Hua, Party Secretary, Chairman and Director of the China Coal Research Institute Changzhou Automatization Research Institute; and Ms Zhao Chen, Deputy General Manager of Tiandi Science & Technology International Branch.
The delegation was warmly received by CityUHK senior management, including Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor; Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research); Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) and Director of the SKLTMW; Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation; Professor Li Lishuai, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research); Professor Lu Jian, Dean of the College of Engineering; and Dr Eva Lui, Director of the Research Grants and Contracts Office.
The visit began with an exchange session, where the delegation gained insights into CityUHK’s initiatives and achievements in driving research and innovation. Subsequently, witnessed by President Boey and Mr Hu, Professor Shum and Professor Chan, representing CityUHK and the SKLTMW respectively, signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Mr Wang, representing CCTEG.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the strategic partnership by integrating highly reliable communication technologies with intelligent innovations for coal mining applications. Both parties will enhance research and application in areas such as communications networks, Web3.0, integrated sensing and communications, and artificial intelligence (AI). It also aims to accelerate the deployment of 5G-A/6G, next-generation antenna technologies and nano-sensing, while exploring the establishment of a joint laboratory to expedite the industrialisation of scientific achievements.
“The CCTEG is a leading enterprise in the national coal technology and engineering sector, with profound industry expertise,” said President Boey. “This collaboration synergises CityUHK’s top-tier research capabilities with CCTEG’s practical experience. By focusing on frontiers such as AI, new materials, green energy and highly reliable communications, we aim to jointly promote safety and sustainability in the industry, setting a new benchmark for industry-academia-research collaboration.”
Mr Hu stated that the CCTEG is a pioneer in the national coal industry’s technological advancement. With its robust innovative capabilities, the Group has been responsible for the design of more than 80% of the country’s mines and has spearheaded over 85% of industry standards, successfully positioning national coal mining safety at the forefront of the global arena. He expressed his expectation that the partnership would leverage CityUHK’s telecommunications research excellence and CCTEG’s industrial strengths to significantly enhance mine intelligence and safety, contributing to national energy security and long-term development.
Current communication technologies face significant limitations in extreme deep-mine environments due to signal interference and high latency. However, CityUHK aims to adapt its successful expertise in 6G and terahertz technologies from surface applications to underground environments. Professor Chan noted that because signal propagation characteristics in deep mines differ from those on the surface, and given the substantial electromagnetic interference during operations, the collaboration between CityUHK and the CCTEG will focus on optimising antenna coverage and mitigating noise. This will enhance communication stability within mines, thereby strengthening industrial safety and effectively reducing the risk of mining accidents.
The delegation also visited the SKLTMW and the “Prototyping:” exhibition at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery to learn more about the CityUHK’s outstanding achievements in communications technology and innovation.
Media enquiries:
Him Chak, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 6807)