MINING NETWORKS
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since if you are operating a machine remotely with lagging there can be issues of nausea – you want to be able to operate it in the same manner as if you were sitting in the machine . This is typically somewhere between 50 and 100 milliseconds . JT : We ’ ve been testing this extensively with Epiroc for underground activities . Generally , below 75 milliseconds the operational control is still perfectly smooth . But above 100 it becomes difficult for the operator .
Q What about greenfield versus brownfield LTE deployment ? Is it only worth doing in a new mine ? Are existing mines are better to keep the network setup they have ? FM : It depends on the situation – an existing network may be working but they may be facing some issues – it is not working as well as it could be . There might be interruptions which are affecting operators negatively . Our comms solutions provides a backbone for you to be able to run new technologies smoothly without interruptions , video freezing etc . JT : You can break use cases into three categories – one layer being what mines are already doing today – you might have sensors all over the mine and some light automation where vehicles are just sending out their position . These don ’ t have a heavy network impact . Then you have full automation with heavy uplink live cameras & low latency requirement for RC input during mucking for example . Then you also now have connected or digital workers – where they are tagged , workers interacting with technology , such as remote maintenance assistance tools required streamed video , and technology being aware of workers . The types of systems that first responders such as police forces and fire services currently use . These need a very robust comms network . FM : Another point is that if you compare 4G / 5G in terms of downtime – it is much improved over other wireless network technologies . Mines all need the geographical redundancy that it provides in terms of reliability – it will never be the cause of stopped production for example . The decision in terms of a brownfield mine to invest in LTE will depend on the efficiency of the network and the extraction you already have . Also if a mine has gaps in network coverage today , this can still make the investment cost in LTE justifiable . And often it is on top of the existing network infrastructure to make new technology use cases possible – often things like voice calls will still use the current comms setup . JT : There is a discrete moment when remote control operation is just fundamentally unworkable , let ’ s say at above 100 milliseconds , and that will be the case with many of today ’ s networks . So if you are going to implement automation in a big way then you face a comms turning point and need to design for this .
Q Can you give some examples of how Ericsson works with the major autonomous mining equipment OEMs ? How actively do they get involved in furthering comms solutions with customers wanting to apply automation ? FM : Of course , the OEMs are the major equipment suppliers working closely with these mines who need to have the confidence that whatever new technology and equipment is being introduced , that it will work effectively over our systems . JT : And it can be more than drilling or loading equipment . A good example is the essential role played by technology from the likes of ABB in ventilation ( which is a key economic parameter for an underground mine of course ), and these systems are also being supported by Ericsson LTE networks . Other partners include companies supplying positioning or digital modelling solutions for mines . For all mine equipment manufacturers we want to enable their technologies so that they know
Ericsson recently launched its latest Private 5G solution which offers secure and simple 4G LTE and 5G Standalone connectivity to mining and other industries
the network is going to perform with their next generation solutions . Q Can you comment on any running mining projects that are using Ericsson LTE networks ? FM : Boliden Aitik in Sweden is a great example as they were looking for high levels of efficiency plus have a lot of plans for mine automation . Already today it is one of the most efficiently run copper mines worldwide . Telia has provided that solution to them based on 4G technology from us which can be upgraded to 5G over time . And we are working with them on new things – their blasthole drilling as an example is already quite autonomous already but the explosives charging is not –
and this is something they are working on . We have also had success with several major mining clients in Russia – Polymetal ’ s Nezhda open pit gold mine in Yakutia , Uralkali ’ s BKPRU-2 underground potash mine and EVRAZ ’ s Sheregeshskaya underground iron ore mine are three sites where Ericsson LTE technology has been deployed by leading Russian telecoms operator MTS . These are major mines looking above all to maximise operational performance . MTS has a very good existing commercial relationship with these miners so that helps . The mines also have a very good vision of what they what to achieve and what equipment they want to take autonomous , and in which part of the mine .
Q What differentiates the Ericsson LTE solution versus others on the market ? FM : First of all we are a 140 year old company which carries some weight by itself ! Other groups have evolved LTE capabilities through acquisitions but we are still the same Ericsson . From a technology and commercial perspective , we have won more than half of the current 5G contracts around the world , not just in mining but across all major industries including many critical service providers . Our good relationships with numerous telecommunication service providers worldwide removes any issues with spectrum or regulation for customers . JT : The system and extreme network performance is due to many parts of our technology but to take an example our radio scheduler network capabilities have been built up over years in-house , to ensure maximum network performance under load , something WiFi struggles with . When you step up into full heavy equipment automation you need the throughput and latency that comes with that . And it will just become
more so as you have more digitally enabled workers coexisting with autonomous equipment . While the numbers of miners working in the
active minesite may continue to fall as they move to offsite control centres , those that remain will need all the digital tools at their disposal .
98 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2021