NETWORKS AND COMMS
Newmont Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer , Suzy Retallack , said : “ The trial results show the extraordinary potential of 5G to improve safety , increase the number of machines that can be operated on a single network and boost production efficiencies in underground mining . These trials are part of the new frontier of technology in mining – using innovation to make our people safer and our mines more productive .”
Newmont will now use 5G to roll out more autonomous fleet like drill rigs , graders and auto haul trucks as part of future mining operations , relying on 5G ’ s unique capacity and capability to facilitate and streamline operational capabilities while deploying additional safety systems like radars and collision avoidance to improve overall mine safety systems , it says .
Head of Private Cellular Networks from Ericsson , Manish Tiwari , said : “ 5G is enabling rapid global transformation of industry , supporting digitalisation and movement towards automated , more efficient , and safer operations across a number of sectors . Ericsson is proud to be partnering with Newmont on demonstrating the potential of 5G to the global mining sector .”
Trialling 5G New Radio ( NR ) technologies on the surface at Cadia as part of the same initiative also demonstrated that new 5G innovations , such as 64T64R Massive MIMO , beamforming and beam-steering provided a leap forward in available throughputs at the extended distances found in surface operations .
Newmont says it uses technology to make workers safer while improving efficiency . On the basis of the trial , 5G now has a firm place in Newmont ’ s communications strategies for Cadia and its other Tier One underground and surface mines across the world .
Following support for the Cadia 5G trial from the Australian Communications and Media Authority ( ACMA ), Newmont has now applied to ACMA for Area Wide Licenses to extend and embed Newmont ’ s use of 5G technology across its Australian operations .
Newmont is now planning to expand the use of 5G networks across its global network of Tier One underground gold-copper mines .
Boliden ’ s underground 5G progress at Garbenberg and Kankberg
Over in Europe , Boliden recently entered into an agreement with Radtonics , regarding the creation of a private industrial 5G network at its Garpenberg mine , in Sweden . Among other things , the private 5G network will play an important role as a communication channel in a project for autonomous transport initiated at the mine .
Boliden is working strategically to use modern technology that automates processes , increases operational reliability and lays the foundation for long-term sustainable mining operations , Radtronics says . By implementing Radtonics ’ industrial 5G network , the company adds an important component to that strategy .
Boliden chose Radtonics after a procurement process where several 4G and 5G options were evaluated . In the end , it was Radtonics ’ solution for private industrial 5G
Boliden is joining the NorthStar 5G innovation program launched by Ericsson and Telia in February 2023
networks that best met Boliden ’ s stringent requirements , the company says .
With Radtonic ’ s solution , Boliden Garpenberg gets its own private network that is both easy and flexible to implement . A private 5G network provides better transparency in the network and facilitates monitoring and data utilisation , according to Radtonics .
Radtonics is a Swedish company with global ambitions that has developed a unique solution for private industrial networks for 5G . With its technology , the company develops and builds high-quality industrial networks in a simple , automated and cost-effective way . The agreement with Boliden is another important strategic step in the company ’ s expansion .
Patric Lind , CEO and Co-Founder of Radtonics , said : “ The fact that Boliden chooses Radtonics as its industrial 5G partner in this strategically important project is a confirmation that our technology and knowledge meet the industry ’ s requirements for robustness , reliability and innovation .”
Boliden is also joining the NorthStar 5G innovation program launched by Ericsson and Telia in February 2023 . Together , the companies are upgrading the existing private 5G network in Boliden ’ s mine in Kankberg , northern Sweden , to facilitate trials of remote-controlled and selfdriving vehicles and machines in harsh environments . The goal is to understand the requirements for capacity , stability and security that are placed on a 5G network when it is used to support advanced mining operations up to 750 m underground .
Boliden says it has been working for years to digitise and automate its mining operations in order to increase productivity and safety , and already uses remotely controlled and autonomous vehicles and drilling machines . Robust and secure digital infrastructure – including reliable wireless networks – is a prerequisite when investing in new technology , so joining the NorthStar 5G innovation program
82 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2024