Ericsson > Case Studies > Automation in Mining: Unleashing Productivity and Efficiency with 5G

Automation in Mining: Unleashing Productivity and Efficiency with 5G

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - 5G
Robots - Wheeled Robots

Applicable Industries

Mining
Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Leasing Finance Automation
Material Handling Automation

Services

System Integration
Testing & Certification

The Customer

Aitik

About The Customer

Boliden is one of the world's most successful mining companies with strong productivity and stock market performance. It operates eight mines, including the Aitik mine, the largest open pit in Europe, located in the north of Sweden. Boliden is known for its relentless focus on efficiency, transport, and metal extraction to optimize the flow of ore. The company is gradually shifting its focus towards automation as the next area of opportunity to improve profitability in the mining industry. Boliden has been actively participating in a research project to co-create the mine of the future, exploring the role of automation in the mining industry and uncovering the business value of using 4G and 5G technology in the mine, in terms of both economics and sustainability.

The Challenge

The mining industry, a significant contributor to global economic activity with revenues exceeding USD 500 billion, is facing a challenge of improving efficiency and profitability. The industry is gradually shifting its focus towards automation as the next area of opportunity. Boliden, one of the world's most successful mining companies, operates the Aitik mine, the largest open pit in Europe. The Aitik mine is expanding, and with the increase in production from 36 million metric tons of ore to 45 million metric tons, the amount of rock removed will also increase significantly. However, increasing the number of machines required for rock removal in a busy mine is not a straightforward task. Additionally, every blast creates toxic gases that need to dissipate before humans can enter the area and begin excavation. The challenge lies in improving efficiency, managing the increased production, and ensuring safety in the harsh mining environment.

The Solution

Boliden, in partnership with Ericsson, has implemented automation in the Aitik mine to address these challenges. Automated drill rigs, known as 'Pit Vipers', can move from one drill hole to the next along a predefined path and perform repetitive tasks autonomously. Five drill rigs at Aitik have been retrofitted with autonomous operation and remote-control features. Automating a drill rig could increase operating hours from 5,000 to 7,000 hours per year, enabling Boliden to perform the same amount of blast operations with these 5 modified rigs as they could with 7 or more traditional rigs. This automation also eliminates the need for additional staff, service stations, parking areas, transport on busy access roads and dangerous staff transportation within the mine. However, for fully autonomous, remotely controlled equipment, high-performance communications are needed. Boliden has installed a Wi-Fi communication system, but it has limitations. Therefore, a 4G mobile communication system is being considered as a secure, flexible and future-proof solution for Boliden. However, only 5G can comfortably handle the most demanding requirements – bandwidth, quality of service, latency and positioning.

Operational Impact

The implementation of automation in the Aitik mine has resulted in major productivity improvements. The use of automated drill rigs has not only increased operating hours but also eliminated the need for additional staff, service stations, parking areas, transport on busy access roads and dangerous staff transportation within the mine. This has significantly improved the efficiency of operations and has allowed Boliden to handle an increased number of blasts with similar equipment and staffing levels. Furthermore, the introduction of high-performance communications for fully autonomous, remotely controlled equipment has opened up a range of safety and efficiency measures for the mine. The use of 4G and 5G technology has enabled the handling of several 3D video streams and the management of highly complex tasks remotely, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of mining operations.

Quantitative Benefit

Automation has resulted in significantly lower costs for Boliden, saving approximately 1 percent of Aitik's total annual costs.
Carrying out drilling and blasting using automation enabled by mobile connectivity shows an annual EUR 2.5 million net saving for the Aitik mine alone.
Automating a drill rig could increase operating hours from 5,000 to 7,000 hours per year, an increase of 2,000 hours or 40 percent.