Smarter mining with 5G

The Kankberg mine in the mineral-rich Skellefteå field in Västerbotten has been extracting copper and zinc since the 1960s. Over the years, Kankberg has had its ups and downs, with operations lying dormant at times, but in recent years the mine has been highly active. Not only is ore extraction underway with gold among the end products, but Kankberg has also established itself as one of the most advanced mines in the world. The reason? 5G technology.

Testing 5G in a mine may seem far-fetched, but it forces creativity. Above ground, connecting machines to the internet or making a mobile call is straightforward – but 400 meters down, conditions are far more demanding. 5G is a technology for transmitting larger amounts of data faster, and mine owner Boliden, together with partners including Ericsson, Volvo, ABB, and Telia, has explored the possibilities it offers. Kankberg can boast the world's first underground 5G network, which has enabled everything from smart ventilation to remotely operated vehicles.

Magnus Leonhardt, Chief Innovation Officer at Telia, predicts the technology will create entirely new conditions for the mining industry.

"Machines will do most of the heavy work, and workers will focus on what's important for controlling the machines," he says.

Machines controlled from the office

One example is remote control of mining equipment like wheel loaders, where the operator sits in an office environment above ground and controls the machine located hundreds of meters underground. A considerably more comfortable and safer environment for the operator, and a method that can also deliver efficiency gains in production.

"In a mine, there are periods when it's not suitable to be there, for example after blasting. It can sometimes take several hours to ventilate out blast gases. It would be fantastic if you could continue working to produce ore even during those periods," says Peter Burman, Program Manager for Mine Automation at Boliden.

In case of emergency

The speed and stability of the underground 5G network also makes it possible to use positioning in the mine tunnels. Being able to determine exactly where both machines and people are at any given moment can be a matter of life and death in a hazardous environment. For example, to ensure emergency stops so that workers don't get too close to operating machinery, and in the event of an accident.

"You want to know exactly where everyone is, where they've gone, which rescue chambers they're in, and who hasn't managed to evacuate to safety," says Peter Burman.

Wirelessly connected rock bolts that warn of seismic movements in the rock are another safety measure that gains new capabilities thanks to the 5G network.

New conditions for an old industry

The Kankberg example is an interesting illustration of the possibilities with new technology, and how the conditions for an entire industry can potentially change. Automation, smart systems, and real-time monitoring mean that entirely new roles and skills may become necessary in the mining industry. When the heavy work is handed over to machines, people can focus differently.

"I think people will find they're working on the right things," says Magnus Leonhardt, Chief Innovation Officer at Telia.

"I actually think workers won't need to be down in the mine in the future – they'll be working from other locations."