Originally publishedin the Australian Mining, National
April 2026
Hancock Iron Ore is transforming the Pilbara worksite experience with high-speed fibre, setting a new benchmark for mining operations.
In the vast remoteness of Western Australia’s Pilbara, isolation has long been part of mining life. Hancock Iron Ore is now helping change that.
As the first customer on Vocus’ Horizon fibre-optic cable, Hancock Iron Ore will be connected to a 2,000km network stretching from Geraldton to Port Hedland, linking one of Australia’s most productive iron ore operations to the broader digital world.
For Hancock Iron Ore, this is far more than an infrastructure upgrade. It is an opportunity to reshape life on site for a workforce of thousands of fly-in, fly-out employees.
With 100Gbps metro-grade broadband, the Horizon network will deliver a home-like internet experience to workers across the operation, enabling them to stay in touch with family, stream high-definition entertainment and access the digital tools they need for work.
“The ripple effect of this unprecedented level of connectivity will be felt across the industry, and we’re proud to be leading that charge with Roy Hill,” Vocus Chief Customer Officer Matt Walsh said.
The investment comes at a critical time. Competition for skilled workers across the resources sector remains intense, and connectivity has become an increasingly important part of the employee experience.
Hancock Iron Ore Chief Technology and Information Officer Kate Flanagan said the upgrade forms part of the company’s broader commitment to being an employer of choice.
“Our workers at the Roy Hill mine will enjoy similar – or better – connectivity than that of a city hotel, improving wellbeing and overall experience,” she said.
“Enhanced connectivity allows us to create a work and living environment that is both productive and supportive of our employees’ wellbeing.”
Employees say these investments in technology and quality of life help distinguish Hancock Iron Ore within the Australian mining sector, and innovations such as Horizon further strengthen that reputation.
Beyond improving the on-site experience, the Horizon fibre network will also help lay the groundwork for the next generation of mining.
Hancock Iron Ore is integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve safety, productivity and operational efficiency.
Hancock Iron Ore Head of Technology Operations Greg Steer said the fibre network will play an essential role in supporting AI initiatives, from predictive maintenance to process optimisation.
“Whether we’re looking at predictive maintenance, process optimisation or safety monitoring, our ability to collect, transmit and analyse vast amounts of data hinges on the robustness of our network,” he said.
“The Horizon project is a significant step in Hancock Iron Ore’s focus on being a globally recognised, leading, AI-driven mining operation.”
For Hancock Executive Chair Dr Gina Rinehart AO, the partnership complements the company’s broader work in artificial intelligence.
“Hancock Iron Ore has been identifying and scaling pragmatic applications of AI, including areas such as maintenance, commercial operations and safety monitoring,” she said.
“The high-speed connectivity at the Roy Hill mine through Horizon will augment these AI capabilities.”
Horizon has also been designed with resilience in mind. Its diverse-path architecture provides separate northern and southern routes between Perth and the Pilbara, while also linking into Vocus’ Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable.
This built-in redundancy helps protect operations from extreme weather and other disruptions, creating a stable platform for both current and future digital initiatives.
For Hancock Iron Ore, the investment is as much about growth as it is about technology. Scalable and secure connectivity will support the expansion of operations, the deployment of autonomous haulage systems and the rollout of new technologies that make data-driven decision-making possible.
It also reinforces a central priority for the business: workforce wellbeing.
The partnership between Hancock Iron Ore and Vocus reflects a broader shift across the mining industry. Connectivity is no longer an operational afterthought. It is now a strategic capability that can transform workplaces, improve safety, attract and retain talent, and unlock new levels of productivity.
With Horizon, Hancock Iron Ore is setting a benchmark for how mining companies can combine human experience with technological ambition. It is a story of connection — between people, technology and the future of mining.