NETWORKS & COMMS volume of data networks are handling is increasing massively.”
Hawkins added that with private 5G in particular you end up with a fabric that allows everything from push to talk, voice groups, video calls and other things in addition to the autonomy use case – such as autonomous haulage. Plus it enables things like virtual reality or even just live video based training or maintenance / troubleshooting- an area referred to in the industry as real time assistance.
We also discussed what the differentiators are in Ericsson’ s private wireless network offering. Hawkins:“ Firstly I would say we position ourselves with operational technology quality – by that I mean we are the mission critical, business critical end of mining, not just a WiFi kind of network placement. Ericsson provides both the core and the radio plus we do the work to integrate the end devices – so when you look at lifecycle operations management we believe the single stack from Ericsson is right for the business critical nature of mining.”
He argued that Ericsson is quite unique in how it builds the radio network so that it is seamless – this is part of the IP of its network development approach.“ Some others in the
Duncan Hawkins, VP Dedicated Network Sales EMEA at Ericsson at MWC 2025 native devices or the required 5G chipsets, but that has now accelerated meaning the return on investment is much quicker plus it is enabled retrospective 5G capability for existing devices. So it is an advancement in the 5G ecosystem and we help drive that in our labs. Plus it works transversely across different sectors as similar use cases and devices are seen in everything from factories to ports and smelters as well as mines.”
Huawei’ s COW solution for Vale’ s Gelado project
At the Mobile World Congress( MWC) in Barcelona, in March, IM heard from Vale and Huawei about an innovative private 5G wireless network provided to the Carajás operation— specifically the Gelado project, which produces high-quality pellet feed by reusing tailings deposited in the Gelado dam since 1985, when Vale began operating in the region.
Mario Azevedo, Head of Technological Engineering and Foundation Projects at Vale, explained that the company is using the coverage to enable the remote control of amphibious excavators and, in the future, of 100 % electric dredgers. Vale chose to implement Huawei’ s Cell on Wheels( COW) system because it offers the most agile and flexible solution for the dynamic nature of tailings dam operations. It is a portable cell tower mounted on a truck or trailer, which can be easily installed and moved, operating on conventional power, with a generator and battery bank as contingency points to ensure greater operational reliability.
Theodore Shao, Vice President of the Mining, Oil & Gas Industry at Huawei’ s Enterprise Business Group, told IM that this is the first end-to-end remote mining control solution using a private 5G network in Latin America.
The solution aimed to reuse existing infrastructure( equipment rooms, fiber optics, towers, etc.) and consider the most agile options. Solar power and energy storage are used in locations where the power grid is deficient. Building fixed towers requires environmental impact assessments and takes time— the COW was the most flexible and also the most reliable option based on RF comparison. There are five COW stations around the perimeter of the Gelado dam operation area.
The project uses a dual-band 4G and 5G network to meet service and reliability requirements. The 4G network ensures MCPTT voice communication, which can also provide temporary communications in case of emergency. The 5G network ensures uplink transmission of remote control video and other data. The dual approach is essential to maintain connectivity integrity and ensure operational capacity.
Data does not leave the mining area, which ensures data security. The MAE-Light Network Management System( NMS) meets local operation and maintenance( O & M) requirements in mining areas, and the O & M permission for the 5G private network is owned by Vale.
The ore content extracted from the dam is already at 63 %, which is considered high. At the plant, the ore undergoes a magnetic concentration process, in which a powerful magnet separates ferrous particles from silica and alumina, further increasing its quality. This is the first time magnetic concentration has been used in Pará operations. The final product is a pellet feed that supplies the company’ s pelletizing plant in São Luís, in the state of Maranhão. The Gelado project is expected to reach approximately 5 Mt of production in 2026 and increase to 6 Mt by 2027. It is part of Vale’ s strategic goal to derive 10 % of its total annual production from circular mining initiatives by 2030.
Vale’ s Mario Azevedo, Head of Tech Engineering and Foundation Projects, speaking at MWC 2025 market often have to hand over from cell to cell which could mean a loss of connection. We effectively create a much bigger bubble to ensure seamless connectivity. This in turn allows for more exact positioning, so we have much more intelligence between the dots in the network and the radios in the network to say where things are. This has implications in things like people and equipment tracking. If the network does need a handover it is in milliseconds not up to a minute for other networks that need to re-register.”
Finally, he pointed out the bigger picture in relation to 5G adoption.“ Just as it took 5G a long time to embed in consumer phones, it has been the same in the OT world. There was a delay in manufacturers getting 5G
International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2025 33