NORDIC SUPPLIERS
people working in the mines. Automation is a key way
s the application of automation in
to improve site safety and reduce the dangers and
underground mines accelerates, several
accidents associated with mining. In addition,
companies have started exploring 5G
automation is our key to staying ahead of our
communications developments in order to handle
competitors.
the massive amounts of data that is being
generated from automation-ready equipment.
IM: What testing have you so far been able to carry
One company interested in exactly this is Volvo
out at Eskilstuna? What results have been achieved?
CE, which earlier this year, in co-operation with
CS: We quite recently inaugurated the new test area for
Telia and Ericsson, launched Sweden’s first 5G
automation and tele-operations, so we are still in the
network for industrial use at its facility in
early phase. The initial focus is on the tele-operation of
Eskilstuna. The partnership could see the mining
the remote-controlled wheel loader L180H, but we will
and construction equipment company become
very soon start testing 5G for the HX2 autonomous
one of the first in the world to use 5G technology
hauler concept machine. At the moment, it is too early
Calle Skillsäter, Volvo CE's
to test remote-controlled machines and
to reveal any results.
Technical Specialist for
'Connected Machines’
autonomous solutions.
IM: When do you expect to be able to test this out in
IM put some questions to Calle Skillsäter, Volvo CE's Technical
a real-life underground mining environment?
Specialist for 'Connected Machines’, to find out more about this
CS: Tests have very recently been performed within the PIMM
collaboration and understand what the hurdles companies are
Digitalized Mining Arena (DMA) project in one of Boliden’s mines,
facing when trying to implement such communications solutions.
using LTE wireless 4G communications, the results of which will be
IM: What is the justification for investing in 5G technologies
announced next month. Testing on a customer site with 5G is not
with Telia and Ericsson? How much of your equipment is
planned yet.
currently controlled remotely or autonomously?
IM: When comparing 5G to 4G technologies, what are the main
CS: Connectivity is a crucial enabler for automation, which is why
benefits for mining companies when it comes to using this
this 5G project is so significant for us at Volvo CE and for the
newer communication infrastructure (aside from lower
construction industry as a whole. We also believe that automation
latency, bandwidth, quality of service, positioning, etc)? What
technology is at its most efficient when it is run hand in hand with
sort of impact could it have on operating costs considering the
electromobility – as we demonstrated through the Electric Site
improved accuracy/responsiveness of automated and remote-
quarry project.
controlled operations?
Thanks to a prior research collaboration with Telia and Ericsson,
CS: The main benefits are, as you say, lower latency, bandwidth
in the Pilot for Industrial Mobile Communication in Mining (PIMM)
and the quality of connection. But lower latency will also mean
project, and now this established Telia Journey to 5G Partnership
that tele-operated machines are more responsive, therefore
Program, we have the possibility to test future connectivity
resulting in much higher productivity. Higher bandwidth also
solutions for our machines in mining applications, as well as other
means better video quality, which means a better work
potential applications.
environment for the operator. Better video quality also creates a
Currently we are focusing on our L180H wheel loader remote-
better feeling of presence, which helps to improve productivity.
controlled prototype, but will soon test 5G on the HX2 concept
Quality of Service will mean machines are up and running for
autonomous hauler as well. There are no autonomous or tele-
longer.
operated machines from Volvo CE available on the market today.
IM: How far is the industry away from employing these 5G
IM: Most of the 5G investment in mining has, so far, come from solutions commercially? What are the three biggest hurdles to
the Nordic region; why is this?
achieving this milestone?
CS: That’s right, we do have a rather unique setup in that many
CS: It’s too early to say when we think customers will be ready to
Nordic companies are at the absolute forefront of their industries
see 5G solutions available commercially. But the biggest hurdles
with this technology. Mining companies like Boliden and LKAB are
are:
driving the business to be more intelligent and automated,
n Legislation related to the radio frequencies. There are still a
Ericsson & Telia bring the connectivity perspective, ABB bring their
number of open questions here; for example, will there be space
experience of automation into the process industry, and Volvo CE
for local industrial solutions, or will everything be dedicated to
and Epiroc bring the machine perspective. It’s certainly the case
the mobile network operators?
that the Swedish engineering mindset is very open and
n Hardware availability. For example, there are not many 5G
collaborative, which is what you need to be if you are to explore
devices designed for demanding mining environments available
the potential of new technologies and new ways of working. We
right now on the market.
are a small country and we need to collaborate and be on the
n Business models. The new technologies will push us to review
edge of technology to stay competitive.
our business models. Should we continue to sell machines like
IM: Do you expect this region, in addition to Canada, to offer
we are used to?
the most immediate potential for 5G automated and remote-
IM: Do you expect underground mines of the future to be run
controlled technologies in mining?
solely off 5G networks? Or, do you expect a combination of
CS: As I’ve mentioned earlier, we have all ingredients available in
5G/Wi-Fi?
the Nordics to succeed in this transformation towards more
CS: There is a potential for mines to be run only on 5G in the
connected and automated mining solutions. Another strong
future. But this is one of the questions that we hope to be able to
reason is that we have high demands on health and safety for the
answer in our coming tests and collaboration with our partners.
A
32 International Mining | JUNE 2019