MegaFon and MMK join forces to establish a digital storage solution for the coal-chemical manufacturing sector
At the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Megafon and the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine (MMK) joined forces to revolutionize coke production with a digital coal yard. This groundbreaking project aims to streamline the management of raw materials used in iron smelting, slashing coal consumption by a whopping 25%, according to "Khabarovsk Krai Today"[1].
Haçatur Pombukhchan, CEO of Megafon, and Pavel Shilyayev, CEO of MMK, officially inked the deal. The digital simulation of coal yard processes will empower MMK workers to keep tabs on coal concentrate supplies, track their movement in real-time, fine-tune their structure and characteristics, and plan unloading more effectively, all while upgrading product quality by monitoring essential equipment used in raw material handling[1].
Pombukhchan reveals that the system to control and account for incoming raw materials will be rolled out first, integrated with existing production solutions. The digital coal yard's first phase is set to commence industrial operations in early 2026[1].
Shilyayev also shared that Megafon will extend its private corporate network, Private LTE, spanning the domestic "Protey" packet core[1]. As part of the network's development's new stage, pLTE will be deployed in key workshops on the main industrial site, as well as remote locations such as the No.5 Agglomeration Plant and the limestone-dolomite production facility[1].
Embarking on this ambitious collaboration, both entities are poised to reap the benefits of digital transformation in the industrial sector[1]. Potential expansions beyond the initial coal yard digitization remain to be determined; however, the project could represent a pilot scheme that expands further if successful[1].
[1] Enrichment Data: The digital coal yard project unites the Russian telecom operator Megafon and the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine (MMK). The agreement was disclosed at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in June 2025. Megafon will modernize the coal yard operations at the Magnitogorsk metallurgy plant through digital technologies, focusing on optimizing storage site management and their digital solutions, including sensor-based tracking, real-time data analytics, and automated inventory management[1]. The objectives are to augment operational efficiency, reduce costs, support data-driven decision-making, and enhance productivity at MMK[1].
The digital coal yard project, a collaboration between Megafon and MMK, extends beyond just the manufacturing industry, also involving finance through the integration of Private LTE network development. With potential expansions in the energy sector, this project could revolutionize not only coke production but also the broader industrial sector's efficiency and cost reduction.
