WORLD PROSPECTS
Newmont enables teleremote dozer fleet with Ericsson Private 5G
Newmont has deployed Ericsson Private 5G at the Cadia gold-copper mine – Australia’ s largest underground mine and a worldclass Tier One asset – to enable the first use of private 5G technology for teleremote( remote control) dozing as part of its surface operations.
By leveraging the increased coverage, capacity, and performance capabilities of Ericsson Private 5G, Newmont has overcome the limitations previously encountered with Wi-Fi to meet the productivity potential of multiple dozers, achieve new levels of machine productivity, and keep workers safe.
Previously, Newmont was unable to connect more than two machines at distances of no more than 100 m on Wi-Fi, before the network and machines became unusable. Wi-Fi was unstable and unpredictable and could lead to downtime for half a 12-hour shift at a time or more for troubleshooting and efforts to restabilise connectivity.
With Ericsson Private 5G, Newmont can now connect its full dozer fleet across the width of its tailings works construction area – up to 2.5 km – from a single 5G radio, while achieving up to 175 Mbps uplink throughput( enough for up to 12 dozers if required). With zero interruptions from communications instability or outages, 5G has boosted safe production, and enabled workers to push more earth per shift than previous experience with Wi-Fi.
“ Ericsson’ s Private 5G network gives us a scalable and high-performing solution that provides the coverage needed and keeps our people safe. It’ s also enabling our longterm digital transformation vision to use 5G for smart mining at our Tier One surface and underground mines globally,” said Chris Twaddle, Newmont’ s Director of Process Control, Networks and Operational Cellular.
Newmont is using Ericsson’ s 5G Antenna
Integrated Radio with Ericsson Massive MIMO( Multiple Input / Multiple Output) to achieve the high levels of uplink connectivity needed for teleremote dozing and deliver this new class of performance capability. Ericsson Massive MIMO allows mining companies to use mid-band spectrum to achieve higher uplink throughput at extended distances compared to traditional radio technologies, allowing a multiplying effect on network capacity from a given radio. Ericsson Uplink Booster is a feature of the Ericsson Silicon microprocessors used in the radios, where uplink signal strength can be increased tenfold, further improving uplink / upload performance.
“ The deployment with Newmont at Cadia demonstrates the power of 5G for industry, where Ericsson’ s industry-leading radio portfolio can reduce the amount of infrastructure that needs to be deployed and operated to cover an industrial site or area,” said Manish Tiwari, Head of Enterprise 5G, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Ericsson.“ This also allows enterprises to use private 5G networks they own to achieve high levels of performance for advanced videobased control and computer vision initiatives without large amounts of spectrum. This is especially valuable to organisations that are operating in spectrum-constrained markets.” www. ericsson. com; www. newmont. com
Epiroc extends Fortescue electric, auto drilling ties with record contract
Epiroc says it has banked its largest contract ever with an agreement to supply a large fleet of electric drill rigs to Fortescue Metals for use at the miner’ s iron ore operations across the Pilbara.
The five-year, circa-SEK2.2 billion($ 220 million) contract will see the company deliver both cable-electric Pit Viper 271 E( PV271 E) blasthole drill rigs, as well as battery-electric SmartROC D65 BE drill rigs, starting from next year. More than 50 machines will be supplied.
The contract, which does not currently include any aftermarket / support services, surpasses Epiroc’ s previous record, booked in the September quarter of 2023, which amounted to SEK700 million and was for the Kamoa-Kakula copper operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The announcement was made at a signing ceremony at Fortescue’ s headquarters in Western Australia, where both Fortescue Metals CEO, Dino Otranto, and Epiroc President and CEO, Helena Hedblom, were present.
Fortescue has committed to eliminate fossil fuels with a target to achieve Real Zero terrestrial emissions( Scope 1 and 2) by 2030, without carbon offsets. To do this, it has installed a significant amount of renewable power infrastructure, as well as committed to major agreements with OEMs such as Liebherr( autonomous and electric trucks), MacLean Engineering( battery-electric graders) and XCMG( battery-electric wheel loaders, wheel dozers, water carts, float prime movers and graders) for zero-emission equipment.
Otranto said:“ To decarbonise, we’ re aiming to swap out around 800 pieces of heavy mining equipment with zero emissions alternatives by the end of the decade, as well as deploy 2-3 GW of renewable energy and battery storage across the Pilbara.”
Epiroc has been party to this, having announced the handover of Australia’ s first PV271 E at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas. Marking a key milestone in Fortescue’ s decarbonisation journey, the PV271 E has since been deployed at Fortescue’ s Pilbara iron ore operations. It is expected to start drilling soon, making it the first electric PV271 E in Australia to operate on a mine site.
This versatile drill rig is designed to enhance productivity while eliminating the need to operate on diesel. With the ability to drill single-pass holes up to 18 m deep and 270 mm in diameter, the drill rig has a 34 t bit load capacity, ensuring reliable operation across diverse mining conditions, Epiroc says. Enhanced automation features also maximise safety and productivity, making the PV271E a crucial step forward for reducing emissions in mining practices, Epiroc says.
Wayne Sterley, Epiroc Australia General Manager and Managing Director, said the company is already a leader in surface drilling automation and that electric drilling( via cables) is already being carried out at mining operations in countries including Canada and Zambia.
“ On top of that, we already operate 32 Pit Vipers at various Fortescue operations, operating alongside competitor fleet,” he said.“ This order will provide us with full market share across the Fortescue fleet.”
6 International Mining | MAY 2025