Industrial 5G is unlocking efficiency in mining for improved productivity, safety, environmental sustainability and global competitiveness.

These impacts will be realised through the introduction of next-generation mining technology, called Next Generation Mining (NGMining).

The technology will include autonomous connected machinery, digital automation and advanced analytics for real-time situational awareness and control, to enable safety, productivity and sustainability improvements in mining operations.

NGMining is a new project funded by Business Finland, bringing together industrial 5G private networks, edge computing and artificial intelligence-based solutions to enable digital transformation in mining.

The goal of the NGMining project is to build proof of concept experimental systems to evaluate integrated connectivity solutions, which are tested in harsh underground mining environments.

The objectives pertaining to the 5G network infrastructure cover spectrum use in the underground mining environment, 5G modems integrated in relevant machinery and user equipment, and edge computing.

The core theme of the project is to facilitate safe and sustainable underground mining through the productive use of autonomous and connected machinery.

The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is coordinating the joint research and development project with telecommunications company Nokia and engineering group Sandvik as the leading industry experts.

“VTT supports all project partners by coordinating the project. In addition, the research VTT applies further strengthens the competences related to telecommunication technology, situation-awareness, sensor technologies, edge computing and AI on new application areas in mining context,” comments VTT VP Sauli Eloranta.

Nokia director Jarkko Pellikka, who heads the Nokia Unlocking Industrial 5G programme, says “collaboration across the ecosystem is essential for developing winning technology solutions that will meet productivity and sustainability targets and capture global market share in the growing mining business”.

Meanwhile, Sandvik commercialisation and networks lead Miika Kaski comments that Sandvik is conducting research on 5G connectivity use cases in the mining environment.

Kaski says the NGMining consortium “helps facilitate this network” with network partners.

The NGMining project also collaborates with the Sustainable Industries X, or Six, initiative, which found that autonomously-connected working machines can also be exploited in other industries.

The two-year NGMining project kicked off in May and includes University of Oulu as a research partner, as well as numerous other partners.

The project advisory board includes representatives from Outokumpu and Agnico Eagle Finland, Telia 5G Business, Kalmar and Ponsse.